Practical information
The deepening strategic rivalry between the United States and China has repositioned geopolitics at the center of the international system today.

The ongoing “trade war” is only one dimension of growing frictions, which include a competition for technological leadership, a struggle for strategic and military preeminence and antagonism over opposing political systems and their underlying values. While Asia and Europe are confronted with major challenges beyond the Sino-US rivalry, actors in these regions are increasingly compelled to adjust to new geopolitical realities. What does this hold for regional stability in Asia? How can Europe navigate this structural change?
09:15 Opening Remarks
- Thierry de Montbrial, Founder and Executive Chairman, Ifri
- François Chih-chung Wu, Representative, Taipei Representative Office in France
The US-China rivalry: The contours of confrontation and entente
09:40-11:00
- David Rank, Senior Advisor, Cohen Group, former Deputy Chief of Mission, US Embassy in China
- Song Luzheng, Research Fellow, China Institute, Fudan University
- Discussant: John Seaman, Research Fellow, Center for Asian Studies, Ifri
- Moderated by Laurence Nardon, Head, North America Program, Ifri
Adjusting to the US-China rivalry in East Asia
11:15-13:00
- Chikako Ueki, Professor, Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies, Waseda University
- Malcolm Cook, Senior Fellow, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS) - Yusof Ishak Institute
- Yujen Kuo, Professor, Institute of China and Asia-Pacific Studies, National Sun Yat-sen University, and Executive Director, Institute for National Policy Research (INPR)
- Yul Sohn, Professor, Graduate School of International Studies (GSIS), Yonsei University, and President, East Asia Institute (EAI)
- Moderated by Françoise Nicolas, Director, Center for Asian Studies, Ifri
Lunch break - 13:00-14:30
Toward a European Way? Implications of the US-China rivalry for Europe
14:30-16:30
- Geopolitics and diplomacy: Monika Sie Dhian Ho, Director General, Netherlands Institute of International Relations, Clingendael
- Economics and trade: Aurélien Billot, Head of Trade and Development Policy, General Secretariat for European Affairs, Office of the Prime Minister of France
- Technology and industrial policy: André Loesekrug-Pietri, Speaker for Joint European Disruptive Initiative (JEDI)
- Moderated by Eric-André Martin, Senior Advisor to the Director, Ifri
Related Subjects
Other events

U.S. Politics: Why Are Democrats Unable to Come Up with a Project?
As President Trump's approval rating stagnates in the polls and with 18 months remaining before the November 2026 midterm elections, why is the Democratic Party unable to offer a credible and compelling alternative to middle-class American voters? On what issues and around which figures could the radical left and the moderate left find common ground by then?

Russia, Iran, China, North Korea: The Nuclear Dimension of the Axis of Upheaval
In an international context marked by the resurgence of power rivalries, cooperation between Iran, China, Russia and North Korea is attracting increasing attention.

The Resurgence of Risk in Turkey
Turkey has entered a new phase of turbulence. The arrest of Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu, on March 19, 2025, triggered a broad protest movement, which the main opposition party, the CHP, is attempting to organize. In parallel, the government continues its peace process with the PKK — a development that could profoundly reshape the country’s political landscape.