The world is undergoing a historical and cultural rupture. Just as Hollywood and other American exports once gave the rest of the world a glimpse of modern life and the future that awaited them, China is now doing the same for African, Latin American and even American young people
Europe is learning to adapt to a hotter climate. It should take the same approach to economic dependencies: manage the consequences, but also change the conditions that created them
Donald Trump is in Beijing, but Europeans should not expect decisive guidance or a grand bargain with Xi Jinping. They should instead focus on managing their own exposure to Chinese risks
Europe’s battery dependence on China is clear, but closing the gap alone will be difficult. Partnering with South Korea, the world’s second-largest manufacturer, offers a faster and more realistic route
China is trending on Western social media. While rooted in disillusionment with America, the trend is making it far easier for Beijing to build soft power among Europe’s youth
Europe and Japan seek deeper defence-industrial cooperation; but the fragmented EU system is creating challenges. As a first step, Tokyo should establish stronger bilateral partnerships, particularly with Germany and Poland
Russia is backing China’s claims to Taiwan in return for economic and trade support. Europeans need to understand the real cost of Beijing-Moscow cooperation
South Koreans still regard America as an ally, but frictions in their relationship could resurface at any point. The EU and South Korea should use 2026 to deepen their own defence and economic security ties, thereby strengthening their collective resilience
China is shifting its economic strategies towards micro-integration and market diversification, which pose a more subtle danger to Europe’s industrial heartlands
The EU must take concrete steps to support African ambitions to move exporting or processing raw materials and become a maker of clean technologies