The EU global gateway as a reaction towards China's belt and road initiative

Abstract

The unveiling of the European Union Global Gateway was met with the outright assumption that it is a reactive endeavour towards China’s Belt and Road Initiative. This theory was the main inspiration for this research; thus, this study aims to deduce whether the EUGG can be considered a response to China’s Belt and Road Initiative. This research provides further understanding of the Global Gateway by explaining and evaluating its components. Moreover, the background and broader context, together with the political, economic and legal factors at play, are described. In addition, the study touches upon the inspiration and the process behind the Global Gateway to garner understanding and assess the implications that the Belt and Road initiative may have had. This research draws a comparison between the 2016 European Union Global Strategy and the Global Gateway, based on the concepts introduced by the former. Beyond shedding light on the correlation of the mentioned concepts and the Global Gateway, this study also provides a prediction of the concepts’ purpose whilst also drawing further understanding of the application of the Global Gateway. This study utilises a grounded theory strategy with a primarily inductive approach based mostly on qualitative data. In addition, a review of the pertinent available literature and primary sources formed an essential part of the research process. The European Union Global Gateway, the Belt and Road Initiative, and the European Union Global Strategy were thoroughly examined using qualitative and secondary quantitative data. The Global Gateway can be interpreted as a culminating moment in a transformative process which builds upon various connectivity strategies and other policies, particularly the 2016 European Union Global Strategy. Thus, the Global Gateway is a global policy, a platform encapsulating strategic policies under one domain with targeted intent, thus with high potential. The influence that can be accorded towards the role of the Belt and Road initiative vis-à-vis the Global Gateway can be deduced as an ingredient rather than the focal point. However, it is an indispensable element of the context and background that led to the Global Gateway. An all-important correlation drawn out by this research is the 2016 European Union Global Strategy elements at play in the Global Gateway. These concepts provide a prediction of an ambitious Global Gateway which may transform the conventional manner of the European Union’s approach toward elements of external action. They provide a further understanding of the operation of the Global Gateway, which may see a more pragmatic approach and a renewed front of political momentum and charge by member states and several actors in a ‘Team Europe’ approach. Finally, whilst elements of pragmatism in this new conventional approach can be deduced, the fundamental principles and values of the European Union remain a sine qua non.