With U.S. leadership in doubt, can its allies chart their own course?

NPR
NPR
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U.S. allies in Europe and the Indo-Pacific are increasingly coordinating on shared interests amid doubts about U.S. leadership.
With U.S. leadership in doubt, can its allies chart their own course?
A What happened
As doubts about U.S. leadership grow, allies in Europe and the Indo-Pacific are showing a willingness to coordinate on various shared interests, including trade, defense, and technology. Recent discussions among foreign ministers from the U.K., France, Germany, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea highlight a commitment to enhancing cooperation on issues like maritime security, cybersecurity, and economic resilience. These nations aim to shield themselves from China's economic influence and U.S. protectionist policies. They are exploring avenues such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) to strengthen trade ties. Additionally, they are collaborating on defense initiatives, such as developing next-generation aircraft, to reduce reliance on U.S. leadership. However, internal tensions within the EU and historical rivalries in Asia pose challenges to this cooperation. The success of these efforts will depend on overcoming these obstacles and fostering a unified approach to address the complexities of the current geopolitical landscape.

Key insights

  • 1

    Growing Coordination Among Allies

    Allies are increasingly willing to cooperate on shared interests amid U.S. leadership uncertainties.

  • 2

    Focus on Economic Security

    Countries are seeking to shield themselves from economic pressures and enhance trade resilience.

  • 3

    Defense Collaboration

    Allies are developing joint defense initiatives to reduce reliance on U.S. military support.

Takeaways

The ability of U.S. allies to collaborate effectively will be crucial in navigating the evolving geopolitical landscape.

Topics

Cybersecurity International Affairs Innovation Governance Trade & Tariffs

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