Preventing war in East Asia

Over the last half-century, East Asia has become the global economy’s manufacturing hub. Powerful trends have made a military conflict in East Asia, especially over Taiwan, more likely since 2016. The most important of these are China’s rapid military modernisation and its increasing number of hostile acts under the threshold of war. To Beijing’s growing frustration, these have not improved the prospects for peaceful “reunification” with the island republic. The use of greater force, namely a maritime blockade or an invasion of Taiwan, would have a severe impact on the EU’s prosperity and security.

The new EU team should put the bloc in the best possible position to help prevent military conflict in East Asia, argues Joris Teer Associate Analyst for Economic Security and Technology. His economic deterrence action plan outlines the steps the EU would have to take to – as effectively as possible – contribute to preventing military conflict by preparing for an economic one.