Structural Limits of EU's "Strategic Autonomy" in the Indo-Pacific: Role of US and Chinese Policies

The article is devoted to the study of structural limitations that prevent the European Union from achieving its stated goal of "strategic autonomy". The aim of the work is to identify the key factors that undermine the independence of the EU policy in the context of the escalating global confrontation between the United States and China. Due to the close allied relations between the EU and the United States, Europe finds itself in the triangle of the United States – China – European Union. The United States seeks to oblige European allies to actively participate in the implementation of programs to contain China. The limited military and political potential of the EU, dependence on the United States in the security sphere, and internal disunity of the member states reduce the declared "strategic autonomy" to the need to balance between Washington and Beijing. The work systematizes the challenges to the EU's foreign policy sovereignty, which contributes to the understanding of the dynamics of modern international relations in the IPR and the transformation of Europe's role in a multipolar world.

European Union, USA, China, Indo-Pacific region, security, conflict, cooperation