The Art of the European Deal: Escaping Digital Colonization While Mastering the US-China Go-Board.
What we witnessed in the Oval Office last Friday could be part of a “Reverse Nixon” strategy : America’s attempt to play China and Russia against each other, but this time in reverse. While Nixon in the 70s brought China into the fold against the Soviet Union, today’s gambit might be about prying Russia away from its alliance with China.
Does this mean Europe and Ukraine now stand in the way, making Trump’s America an adversary? If so, how should we respond?
In that scenario, Putin will need to choose between China and the US as allies. Everyone, including Xi, knows which direction he’ll favor. The “no-limits” partnership between China and Russia could rapidly show fractures. And given China’s strategic foresight, they won’t wait until it’s too late.
This could be a unique opportunity to increase Europe’s strategic value. Von der Leyen should travel to Beijing together with Zelensky and negotiate a three-point “deal”:
A raw materials agreement between China, the EU, and Ukraine enhances Europe’s supply security and provides China with a vested interest in regional peace — including the security guarantees that Trump is not willing to offer.
Chinese-led reconstruction of Ukrainian infrastructure, funded by frozen Russian central bank reserves.
Comprehensive high-tech market access to the EU, with mandatory knowledge transfer through joint ventures — mirroring China’s approach from 20 years ago. The objective: gradual decoupling from the US tech stack to establish an independent digital infrastructure in Europe.
Risky move? Absolutely!
However, it’s far riskier to go from summit to summit without finding bold solutions. And any serious discussion about such a deal could already redefine Trump’s stance towards Europe.
It could also address a fundamental issue currently overlooked: Europe has essentially become a digital colony of the United States. As long as we were able to rely on transatlantic cooperation, this wasn’t considered a major concern, rightly or wrongly. But now we probably need to see it as a real threat. And it will take more than a single Mistral chatbot app to address it.
This whole mess can also be a huge opportunity: it could be Europe’s catalyst for renaissance. Together with digital independence, we’d gain expanded trade networks, strategic investments, and technological cross-pollination.
Rather than remaining caught between superpowers, a united, militarily and digitally sovereign Europe could emerge as the sophisticated bridge between East and West — not merely a geopolitical buffer, but the translator of interests.
The path forward shouldn’t be about choosing sides; it should be about reclaiming our historic role as the indispensable center that benefits all while serving its own interests with newfound clarity and purpose.
