Research and Opinion

Jasna Plevnik, president of the Geoeconomic Forum Croatia, a think tank, said that EU member states must find a way to halt the growing power of the European Commission leadership over the past five years.

"The role of the executive power has increased, and that shift has challenged the balance of governance within the European Union, the EU's global position, and even worse (it has) put America's strategic and economic interests above the EU's," she said, referring to the public criticism that von der Leyen is "vehemently pro-American".

China's persistent willingness to preserve and repair ties and make friends in Europe also stabilizes EU-China relations

[03/10, 10:42] Jasna: Plevnik, of the Geoeconomic Forum Croatia, believes that the key factor behind EU-China relations remaining relatively healthy is China's persistent willingness to preserve and repair ties and make friends in Europe.

"China has never run a smear campaign against the EU. It has done more than others to help the EU during the COVID-19 pandemic, while its global agenda is multilateral and supportive to developing countries," she said.

She noted that besides relations at the China-EU level, the bilateral relations at the national level have also played a vital role, citing the facts that governments from France, Germany and Italy have recently stepped up diplomatic efforts with Beijing to improve ties.

The quality of Sino-US relations will continue to have a significant impact on EU-China relations

Plevnik stressed that the upcoming US election will have a "profound effect" on EU-China relations, and for the EU, the health of China-US relations will have a bigger impact on EU-China relations.

She believes a Kamala Harris administration will most likely continue Joe Biden's policy while a second Donald Trump administration is less likely to press the EU to pivot to the "Indo-Pacific" region, thus helping improve regional stability.