Preface. The current international political situation poses a challenge to Europe
At the end of the third decade of the twenty-first century, the international political situation had shown unprecedented complexity and volatility, posing a major challenge to the European Union and its member States. In particular, the uncertainty of the political environment in the United States, and in particular the prospect of a possible re-election of Trump, has put particular diplomatic and security pressure on Europe. In addition, the reflection on globalization, the reassessment of the international system, and the tendency to challenge multilateralism are testing Europe's cohesion and the flexibility of its diplomatic strategy.
First, as the world's largest economy and military power, the changes in the domestic policy and the uncertainty of foreign policy of the United States directly affect the foundation of transatlantic security and economic cooperation. During his first term in office, Trump has demonstrated a reassessment of traditional alliances, including demands for contributions to NATO, criticism of the policies of European Union member states, and doubts about multilateral cooperation mechanisms. The volatility of these positions and policies casts a shadow of uncertainty over Europe's diplomatic and security environment, forcing Europe to reconsider its dependence on the United States and how it can safeguard its interests and values in the international arena.
Secondly, the reflection in the process of globalization and the instability of the international ** system pose a challenge to the European economy, which is based on open markets and freedom**. The disruption of the global chain, the rise of protectionism, and the technological and competitive competition between major powers all require Europe to show greater strategic flexibility and autonomy in international policies while safeguarding its own economic interests. Europe needs to find a balance between protecting its own industries and promoting international excellence, while also playing a more active role in global economic governance and promoting a fairer and more sustainable international economic order.
Finally, the provocation of multilateralism in international politics, especially in the areas of global governance, climate change, and human rights protection, has been hampered, posing a challenge to European foreign policy. Europe has long been a staunch supporter of multilateralism and international cooperation, and in the face of current international politics and obstacles to cooperation, Europe needs to find new ways and means to strengthen cooperation with other countries and regions, and promote the effectiveness and inclusiveness of multilateral mechanisms to solve global problems.
These three challenges require Europe to demonstrate greater strategic autonomy and flexibility while safeguarding its interests and values. This is a test not only of European foreign policy, but also of its internal cohesion and unity. In this volatile international environment, Europe's response strategy will determine its place and role in the international order of the 21st century.
European dependence
Europe's dependence is mainly manifested in security guarantees and economic cooperation with the United States. In the field of security, since the end of World War II, European countries have relied on the military power of the United States for their security, in particular through the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). This security dependence provided Europe with the necessary security guarantees during the Cold War, but it also made Europe militarily dependent on the United States. As the international security environment changes, this dependency begins to be questioned, and European countries are beginning to realize the need to improve their defense capabilities and reduce their dependence on the United States.
In the economic sphere, the close ** and investment relations between Europe and the United States are another important aspect of cooperation. The United States is one of the largest partners of the European Union, and the two have close cooperation in the fields of investment, science and technology innovation. However, the rise in global tensions in recent years, especially the restrictions imposed by the United States on certain European products, have once again exposed Europe's economic dependence on the United States. This dependence limits Europe's ability to defend its economic interests and respond to international economic challenges.
Experience in dealing with previous challenges
Europe has gained valuable experience in tackling previous challenges. In the face of past international crises and challenges, Europe has demonstrated its ability to adapt to change by strengthening its internal solidarity and increasing the flexibility of its diplomatic strategy. For example, during the 2008 global financial crisis, Europe successfully coped with the shock of a recession by implementing coordinated fiscal policies and financial stability measures. In addition, in the face of Russia's military operation in Ukraine, the European Union has demonstrated its unity and determination in foreign policy through the imposition of economic sanctions and diplomatic mediation.
These experiences have shown that Europe needs to continue to strengthen its internal political and economic integration and improve the coordination and efficiency of its foreign policy in dealing with external challenges. At the same time, Europe needs to play a more active role in the international arena and defend its interests and values through multilateral cooperation and diplomacy. In this way, Europe can better respond to future international challenges, reduce its dependence on external powers, and increase its influence and autonomy in global affairs.