Germany's place in the world after its general election

Peter Mandelson, Dr Norbert Roettgen, MdB and chairman of the Bundestag's Foreign Affairs Committee, and Jeff Rathke, President of the American Institute for Contemporary German studies, discussed the future of German foreign policy, its relations with the US, Russia, China and the UK, and the interaction of Germany's policy with the EU's perspective on these relationships.

Highlights from the discussion:

• There has been a positive change in rhetoric within the new transatlantic relationship. Still, Trump did affect public perception of the US, forcing the EU to rely more on itself and develop strength and unity. Unilateral decisions from the US did not always land well within Europe, such as leaving Afghanistan without consulting allies. Biden's support for an IP waiver was seen as a tactical, symbolic step that would not guarantee more vaccines for the pandemic in the short run.
   
• Roettgen made clear that Germany had in the past focused on its significant exports to China. Under Xi Jinping, a fundamental shift has come in the way China understands itself and its role in the world. German leaders recognise they need to reflect this shift in their policy and realise China is the comprehensive challenger of the international order. It's necessary to both confront and cooperate with China, but this should be done from a position of strength.
   
• Transatlantic cooperation, especially on technology, was found to be essential. However, a gap was identified between rhetoric and how the substance of a shared approach could look like, which would involve US concessions. Despite difficulties, a huge need exists to look beyond the EU internal market project towards transatlantic cooperation and creating a common EU-US vision not only on technology but also on data protection and taxation.
   
• Lastly, strategic autonomy was criticised as a codeword by some within the EU to mean independence from the US. Roettgen however stressed this was based on a conception of sovereignty that no longer exists in the globalised 21st century of today. From Washington, there exists the view that rather than endlessly debating about different formulations of autonomy, energy should be invested in actually creating instruments of power. While the historic post-war era might be over, a new international order has yet to emerge. With a western consensus under challenge, closed ranks would be essential to decide this competition.