观察家研究基金会-连接遥远的地理位置：印度-太平洋的欧盟（英）-2021.9-43页_10mb

Summary of "Connecting Distant Geographies: The EU in the Indo-Pacific"

Core Content

This paper explores the evolving role of the European Union (EU) in the Indo-Pacific region, focusing on trade and geopolitical partnerships. Although the EU is not geographically close to the Indo-Pacific, it has a significant interest in the region's stability due to its economic and strategic importance. The Indo-Pacific is a key hub for global trade and population, and its growing prominence has led the EU to reassess its involvement in the region.

Main Points

EU's Strategic Shift Toward the Indo-Pacific

• The EU has moved from a traditional stance of distance to a more proactive engagement with the Indo-Pacific, positioning itself as a normative leader in the region.
• The EU's strategy is aimed at strengthening multilateralism and preserving a rules-based international order, which aligns with its broader foreign policy goals.
• The EU has initiated a strategy document for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, with a final version expected by September 2021, outlining areas such as ocean governance, health, research, and security.

Existing EU Contributions and Potential Cooperation

• EU's Existing Contributions:

  • Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Assistance
  • Tackling Climate Change, Biodiversity Loss and Pollution
  • Partnerships and Free Trade Agreements
  • Disaster Risk Reduction
  • Upholding International Law, including Human Rights and Freedom of Navigation

• Potential Partnership Domains:

  • Ocean Governance
  • Research and Technology
  • Connectivity
  • Health
  • Strengthening Regional Organisations
  • Intensifying Cooperation in Multilateral Fora
  • Reinforcing efforts to tackle Global Challenges such as Climate Change

Trade Relationships with the Indo-Pacific

• The EU is highly dependent on China and the US for trade, which are its largest trading partners.
• Trade with Indo-Pacific countries includes energy, food, and consumer goods, primarily via maritime routes.
• India's main exports to the EU are primary products, energy, and raw materials, while its imports include machinery and manufactured goods.
• Japan, South Korea, and Australia have trade surpluses with China, while India and Singapore have deficits.
• The EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (2019) and the EU-South Korea Free Trade Agreement (2011) have helped reduce trade barriers and increase trade volumes.

EU-China Geoeconomic Interdependence

• The EU is China's largest trade partner and key investor, with a significant trade deficit due to its reliance on Chinese intermediate goods.
• China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has raised concerns in the EU, particularly due to its opaque nature and geopolitical implications.
• The EU and China have a long-standing relationship, with the Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI) signed in 2020, which has been controversial due to human rights concerns.

Implications of EU-Indo-Pacific Cooperation

• The Indo-Pacific region accounts for 62% of the global economy and 46% of global merchandise trade.
• The EU aims to reduce its dependence on China by diversifying trade and investment into the Indo-Pacific.
• The pandemic has exposed the risks of overreliance on a single trade partner and highlighted the need for more resilient and diversified supply chains.
• The EU's engagement with the Indo-Pacific can potentially help in forming more integrated and resilient economic partnerships.

Key Findings

• The Indo-Pacific is a vital region for the EU due to its economic and strategic significance.
• The EU is seeking to build partnerships with Indo-Pacific countries in various domains, including trade, technology, and security.
• The EU's approach to the Indo-Pacific is shaped by its desire to counterbalance China's influence, although it does not necessarily adopt a unified stance on China.
• Trade models suggest that deeper integration between the EU and Indo-Pacific countries can lead to mutual economic benefits, especially with the elimination of tariffs and trade facilitation.
• The EU's engagement in the Indo-Pacific is expected to play a crucial role in shaping the future of global economic and strategic interactions.

Conclusion

The EU's involvement in the Indo-Pacific is a strategic move to enhance its economic and political influence in the region and to counterbalance China's growing dominance. The region's importance as a hub for trade and economic activity makes it a critical area for the EU to engage with, especially in light of the pandemic and the geopolitical shifts in the global order. While the EU is not a monolithic entity, its collective and individual strategies aim to foster a more resilient and rules-based international system.