The European Union and China's rise in Africa: Competing visions, external coherence and trilateral cooperation

Abstract

This study analyses the impact of China's rise in Africa on the European Union (EU). Contrary to conventional wisdom, it argues that the EU's renewed interest in Africa is not the result of China's new assertiveness in the continent, but is a consequence of the EU's ambitions to become an influential global actor and the consequent search for a more coherent external policy. Africa, thus, represented an ideal venue in which different EU actors could simultaneously pursue traditional development goals together with new political objectives. Moreover, the existence of three competing visions within the EU negatively affected its ability to constructively engage with China: the European Commission sought to affirm the EU's aspiration to become an influential global actor; the European Parliament projected its preference for a value-based development policy, blended with paternalistic overtones; the Council of the European Union was driven more by the emotional reactions of some member states, who did not want to lose their position as Africa's main reference point. Unsurprisingly, the result has been a confused message, which China has found hard to follow, never mind Africa, since they were not effectively involved in the process and were sceptical about the whole idea of 'trilateral cooperation'.

Reshaping European Union development policy: collective choices and the new global order

“…Two examples reveal, however, how difficult these strategic partnerships might be to achieve for the EU within this new context. Carbone (2011) shows how the existence of three competing visions and goals within the EU (European Commission, European Parliament and member states) clashed to negatively affect the opportunity to constructively engage with China, the newest leading and rising global donor. Helly (2013), assessing the EU-Africa partnership, argues that a growing "continental drift" is in the making due to the limitations and inefficacies (now under review) of the 2007 Joint Africa Europe Strategy.…”

International development and the European Union's external policies: changing contexts, problematic nexuses, contested partnerships

“…The EU has been perceived as projecting a comprehensive model for economic, social and political development, whilst still propagating North-South dynamics. Conversely, China has been praised, particularly by some African countries, for its emphasis on mutual interest and non-interference in political affairs, and its attempt to project itself as a 'responsible global power' (Carbone 2011). The consequence of the changing global balance of power can also be seen in international settings.…”

“…Because of their strengthened agency, in various circumstances (aid, trade, migration) developing countries have been able to play to and reconfigure EU interests-and, paradoxically, the suboptimality of EU policies, which is usually seen as a challenge, may even enhance their opportunities (Smith 2013). Moreover, some developing countries have been able to take advantage of the (re-)emergence of new actors, which have provided a select number of countries with alternative partnerships (Carbone 2011).…”

An institutional approach to foreign policy-making: the EU, the USA and crisis management in Africa

“…At the same time, the EU is mainly an economic power, with very limited global security responsibilities, which privileges the use of non-military foreign policy tools (although some of its member states have increased their military cooperation on an intergovernmental basis). The need to prevent uncontrolled immigration into European countries has strongly affected the European security agenda, 6 making the management of regional conflicts and stabilisation in Africa a key goal for the EU. However, not only have the USA and EU pursued their foreign policy strategies through different approaches and different instruments, but the two actors have redefined their instruments of conflict management in Africa over time.…”