The post Europe wants to knock off China and US in Southeast Asia, but its just not as appealing appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com.

Europe is chasing Southeast Asia harder than ever, but the region’s trade marriage to China and the United States isn’t going anywhere. Leaders across Europe are pitching new alliances as Washington brings in more tariffs and Beijing grows more aggressive in disputed waters. But according to CNBC, the hard truth is this: the EU is still trailing behind in every major area that matters — trade, influence, and presence. Last month, Chinese bomber planes showed up in the Paracel Islands, escalating tensions with the Philippines and reminding Southeast Asia exactly who’s boss in the South China Sea. At the same time, the Biden-imposed 90-day tariff break — inherited and now carried on by President Trump — is ticking toward its July deadline. With both China and the US flexing muscle, Europe sees a small window to squeeze in as the third option. Macron urges tighter ties in Asia defense forum At the 2025 Shangri-La Dialogue, French President Emmanuel Macron asked for deeper cooperation between Europe and the Indo-Pacific, warning that global alliances were “eroding.” He compared China’s military posturing to Russia’s war in Ukraine, framing both as threats to international stability. Macron wants to sell Europe as a steady hand to work with, but Asia isn’t buying it without the trade numbers to back it up. Bob Herrera-Lim, managing director at Teneo, told CNBC that Europe is interested in selling arms and tapping into Southeast Asia’s natural resources to support its green and digital transition. But he was clear: it’s not enough. “Form follows function in Southeast Asia,” Bob said. “Relationships are built on economic ties in Southeast Asia, more than anything else.” Europe may have signed deals with Singapore and Vietnam, but wider talks on a EU-ASEAN free trade agreement have gone nowhere for years. Céline Pajon, who heads…

---

Filed under: News - @ June 16, 2025 3:26 pm