Tsinghua University suggests China hopes Europe becomes an independent global pole, but Europe lacks the necessary strategy. Although Europe possesses the assets for independence, formulating a unified plan remains crucial for navigating global rivals.

Writing in Foreign Affairs, Tsinghua University’s Da Wei argued that China wants Europe to function as an independent pole in a changing global order, but that Europe lacks “a more independent soul”. He is half right. Europe has the assets for independence. What it lacks is the strategy. Europe and the United States face the same rival but carry different exposures. Since 2018, the US has cut its direct imports from China. Europe’s have grown harder to unwind. What appears to be decoupling is...