Opinion | EU has a key role to play in the new world order in the making

The maxim, “The strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must”, attributed to the Athenian historian Thucydides, described the reality of world politics for millennia. Today there are forces that wish to see a return to a world where “might equals right”.

The European Union, born out of the ashes of war to secure lasting peace, stands for a different vision. We are convinced that the rules-based international order is a historic achievement. Despite not being perfect, this order and its institutions, norms and values have for decades underpinned global stability and brought enormous gains in prosperity – to the EU and its 27 member states, globally, and not least to China and the Hong Kong special administrative region.

We come from a position of strength. With a population of 450 million, we are the world’s largest single market and trading bloc and the world’s second-largest economy. The euro is the second-largest reserve currency and second most-traded currency worldwide. The EU remains a dominant force in global innovation and is driving the world’s largest transnational research initiative Horizon Europe (€95.5 billion). Our high standards often become global standards.

The EU and its member states jointly constitute the world’s largest provider of development assistance and the top global contributor to international climate finance.

Our attractiveness stems from both our economic strength and our reliability. Our partners know that we are not just economically a powerhouse, but we also stand by our commitments.