Breaking ideological shackles: Forging a China-Europe common ground on multilateralism

The United States' indiscriminate tariff war against the world is not just an assault on the global trade system—it is a shock therapy to the international order established since World War II. As Washington indulges in unilateral power bullying, Europe faces a historic choice: to remain a hostage to America's geopolitical games, or to join hands with China and others in defending multilateralism.

The answer lies in an old proverb, "God helps those who help themselves." What Europe needs now is not allegiance to the transatlantic tie, but a profound self-awakening.

Strategic autonomy: The ultimate test of breaking ideological shackles

European political elites talk a lot about strategic autonomy, yet their actions reveal a puzzling contradiction: They decry America’s Inflation Reduction Act as "green protectionism" while wielding the anti-subsidy stick against Chinese electric vehicles; they resent being treated as geopolitical pawns by Washington yet obediently follow suit whenever the U.S. shifts its policy.

This cognitive dissonance stems from the ideological shackle—a collective unconsciousness that sanctifies transatlantic relations and rationalizes American hegemony.

The humiliation of passively responding to America's agenda should have catalyzed Europe's awakening. Yet, its ideological shackles remain unbroken at the cost of surrendering economic sovereignty of European countries.

History has proven that strategic dependence backfires. During the Suez Crisis of 1956, the U.S. forced British and French withdrawal through financial coercion, shattering Europe's colonial ambition. In early 2025, the United States abruptly shifted its Ukraine policy, bypassing Europe to engage with Russia, leaving European leaders reeling.

True strategic autonomy begins with a cognitive revolution. Europe needs to realize that if it has been sidelined diplomatically, it must not be outmaneuvered ideologically. As the U.S.’ China containment strategy spirals into frenzy, Brussels should not be cheering for this clash of giants.

Protectionism: Do not go gentle into that good night

Washington's tariff bludgeon is not just coming at China. Euronews estimates that U.S. tariffs on EU goods could cost Europe at least €85 billion in exports, with Germany and others bearing severe consequences. This confirms a harsh truth: the world cannot endure endless shock therapy.

Europe's anxiety must not evolve into a surrender to protectionism, but steadfast defense of multilateralism.

China and the EU, as two economic powerhouses, have seen their trade surge from $2.4 billion to $780 billion and investments grow from virtually zero to nearly $260 billion over the past decades.

This relationship should not become a victim of zero-sum game. If Europe allows protectionism to cause fragmentation of markets and builds barriers out of fear and shortsightedness, it will pay the price of missing the opportunity to work with China to upgrade global supply chains. Moderate trade barriers will eventually turn into black holes devouring prosperity.

A China-Europe mandate: Guardians of multilateralism

If Europe abandons its obsession with Western hegemony and regards China as a partner of open cooperation, together they will prove multilateralism is not Utopian idealism but the rational choice. The future belongs to those who believe in cooperation over confrontation, openness over isolation, and win-win outcome over zero-sum game.

Such awakening demands Enlightenment-era courage from Europe to shatter its long-held ideological shackles. True strategic autonomy is not geopolitical adventurism but reverence for history, just as Hegel observed, "the owl of Minerva spreads its wings only with the falling of dusk."

Now is time for awakening. Europe must become the master of its own destiny, not a footnote to hegemony.

(Author: Xiao Shan, International Affairs Observer)