European leaders have been trying to avoid taking sides since Obama suggested the US should focus on Asia over its rivalry with China. They hoped for stability between the superpowers and to balance their own interests. However, the Trump administration's actions against China increased tensions, and now the Biden administration has announced an alliance with the US, Britain, and Australia to deploy nuclear-powered submarines in the Pacific, resulting in the cancellation of a $66 billion deal for Australia to buy French submarines. Thomas Gomart, director of the French Institute of International Relations, stated that Europeans are hesitant to make a decision between the United States and China, and the Biden administration is pushing for a choice. France was upset by recent events, including the cancellation of a defense deal, but it may have a positive outcome for their goal of achieving "strategic autonomy." French President Emmanuel Macron has been a strong advocate for Europe maintaining a balanced relationship with both the United States and China, as echoed by Josep Borrell Fontelles, the European Union's foreign policy chief. The French were embarrassed by the sudden announcement of the submarine deal by the Americans, which came after the chaotic situation in Afghanistan. European allies were angry at the lack of consultation from the Biden administration, leading to doubts about the US as a reliable security partner. Some experts believe that France may try to use this setback to push for strategic autonomy, but others think it may be seen as a self-serving move by the French. Europe's ability to balance its priorities is becoming increasingly challenging, according to Rosa Balfour, director of Carnegie Europe. She emphasized the importance of Europe reevaluating its position and actions, noting that increased defense spending and building security capacity are essential. Balfour also highlighted the significance of maintaining alliances with countries like Britain and the United States to enhance Europe's influence on the global stage. The recent formation of the AUKUS alliance aims to strengthen security efforts against China by integrating Australia and Britain into the broader American strategy. Analysts agree that the United States and Britain offer a stronger deterrent to China in the Indo-Pacific for Australia compared to the deal with France. Ian Lesser, from the German Marshall Fund, believes this sends a significant message to Beijing, particularly benefiting Australia. He also questions why American actions in the Pacific must be seen as diminishing Europe's importance. The European Union may struggle to find the political will for strategic autonomy, as noted by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during her state of the EU address on the same day the new Asian alliance was revealed. France is moving towards autonomy, but it is uncertain whether the rest of Europe is interested in this and distancing themselves from the United States. There are concerns about France isolating itself as the US remains a critical partner in many regions where France has security concerns. Questions about America's reliability as a security partner, especially in a conflict with China, are being raised. In Poland, a strong American ally, the response to the new alliance was positive, focusing on the US, UK, and Australia uniting against China and defending the free world. However, there are also concerns about the Biden administration not consulting with European allies. He said that this time it was the French who were prioritized over us, similar to when Nord Stream 2 was completed for Germany instead of supporting Ukraine and Poland. The decision to allow the natural gas pipeline from Russia to Germany was seen as favoring strong alliances with Germany and Australia, at the expense of other allies. In terms of relations with China, Europeans would rather avoid angering Beijing, according to Balfour from Carnegie Europe. European allies have shown discomfort with more aggressive stances on China and are aware of the importance of engaging in conversations with China regarding climate and trade. The speaker suggested that if Europe can continue dialogue with Beijing without being seen as aligning with a security pact against China, it could be beneficial. The speaker also mentioned that it would be advantageous if the European Union can navigate this situation diplomatically and avoid polarizing the world into pro or anti-China factions, as Beijing is promoting.