The Foreign Policy of the European Union: Assessing Europe's Role in the World

The Foreign Policy of the European Union examines the EU's role in the world ten years after the Lisbon Treaty, covering relations with regional neighbors, the US, China, and issues such as migration, terrorism, trade, and security.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 366 pages
Publication date: 21 June 2022
Publisher: Brookings Institution

The European Union's foreign policy has undergone significant changes in the past decade, with the 2009 Lisbon Treaty providing the legal and structural foundations for the EU to play a role as a global actor. However, the EU has faced intense political and economic stress, including debt crises, the rise of nationalist parties, and the strains of Brexit. This has had a significant impact on the EU's foreign policy and its role in the world.

The Foreign Policy of the European Union, a new edition of the book, offers an up-to-date and comprehensive examination of these changes. The globe-spanning contributions to the book include a look at relations between Brussels and its regional neighbors, including Russia; the tensions that have arisen with the United States during the Trump administration; and the burgeoning relationship with China. How the EU is dealing with issues such as migration, terrorism, trade, and security round out the volume.

One of the key challenges facing the EU's foreign policy is the need to balance its interests with those of its regional neighbors. Brussels has been criticized for its approach to Russia, with some arguing that it has been too lenient on Moscow's actions in Ukraine and Syria. However, others argue that the EU's approach has been necessary to maintain stability in the region.

The EU's relationship with the United States has also been strained in recent years. The Trump administration has criticized the EU for its trade policies, and has threatened to impose tariffs on European goods. The EU has responded by launching a trade war with the United States, which has had negative consequences for both sides.

The EU's relationship with China is also a significant issue. The EU is China's largest trading partner, and has been working to strengthen its economic ties with Beijing. However, the EU has also been critical of China's human rights record, and has imposed sanctions on Chinese companies in response to human rights abuses.

Migration is another major issue facing the EU's foreign policy. The EU has been criticized for its response to the refugee crisis, with some arguing that it has been too slow to respond and that it has not done enough to address the root causes of the crisis. The EU has also been working to improve its asylum system, but has faced challenges in implementing its policies.

Terrorism is also a major issue facing the EU's foreign policy. The EU has been targeted by a number of terrorist attacks in recent years, including the attacks in Paris and Brussels. The EU has responded by implementing a number of counterterrorism measures, including the creation of a European Counterterrorism Centre and the implementation of the EU's Counter-Terrorism Strategy.

Trade is also a major issue facing the EU's foreign policy. The EU is a major player in the global trade system, and has been working to promote free trade and reduce trade barriers. However, the EU has also been criticized for its trade policies, with some arguing that they have been too protectionist and that they have hurt developing countries.

Security is also a major issue facing the EU's foreign policy. The EU has been working to improve its security cooperation with its regional neighbors, including the creation of the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation and the implementation of the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy. However, the EU has also been criticized for its response to the refugee crisis, with some arguing that it has been too slow to respond and that it has not done enough to address the root causes of the crisis.

In conclusion, the European Union's foreign policy has undergone significant changes in the past decade, with the 2009 Lisbon Treaty providing the legal and structural foundations for the EU to play a role as a global actor. However, the EU has faced intense political and economic stress, including debt crises, the rise of nationalist parties, and the strains of Brexit. This has had a significant impact on the EU's foreign policy and its role in the world. The Foreign Policy of the European Union, a new edition of the book, offers an up-to-date and comprehensive examination of these changes. The globe-spanning contributions to the book include a look at relations between Brussels and its regional neighbors, including Russia; the tensions that have arisen with the United States during the Trump administration; and the burgeoning relationship with China. How the EU is dealing with issues such as migration, terrorism, trade, and security round out the volume.

Weight: 608g
Dimension: 151 x 226 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780815738114
Edition number: 3 Revised edition