Julian McBride
The Indo-Pacific region is emerging as a center-point of trade, innovation, and several brewing conflicts that could intertwine the global community. Various countries in the European continent currently have economic, diplomatic, and military cooperation and trade agreements in the region that will affect them amidst American indecisiveness and rising influence by geopolitical rivals in the Indo-Pacific. Europe, which needs to prepare for autonomous contingencies amidst a rift with the U.S. government, will need a concrete strategy in the Indo-Pacific region. Preparations to enhance partnerships and grow alliances in the defense, trade, and technological center will need to be a priority for European nations.
Several major conflicts are brewing in the Indo-Pacific that will affect Europe. One is China’s military preparations for a potential invasion or naval blockade of Taiwan. Taipei’s semiconductors and geography make the country critical to the First Island Chain strategy and trade with Europe, which hinders Chinese naval (PLAN) operations. Furthermore, PLAN aggression in the South China Sea is creating an existential crisis for Vietnam and the Philippines, which are major traders with Europe. Any armed naval engagement in the South China Sea would drastically affect global trade and embroil much of Southeast Asia and the United States, which holds a mutual defense pact with the Philippines and a strategic partnership with Vietnam.
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