2025. 07.08 Klaus Larres: The Changing Role of the EU in Global Politics: Is Europe torn between the US and China?

As a pivotal force in the international landscape, the EU faces unprecedented challenges in redefining its role. The transatlantic alliance remains fundamental with strong US-Europe consensus on values and security, while China’s rise brings both opportunities and competition in EU-China economic, technological, and global governance engagement. Whether the EU can transcend the "choosing sides" dilemma, safeguard unity and strategic autonomy, and leverage its unique "third force" role will profoundly shape the future global order. In view of this, the 17th session of the US Series Forum of Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at Renmin University of China (RDCY) invites renowned German scholar Klaus Larres – Richard M Krasno Distinguished Professor of History & International Affairs at the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill and Global Europe & Kissinger China Institute Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson Center – to deliver a keynote speech at Renmin University of China on July 8, 2025. The agenda is arranged as follows:

• Host: Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies, Renmin University of China (RDCY); School of Global Leadership, Renmin University of China

• Date: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at 13:30-14:50

• Venue: Beijing, China

• Languages: Chinese, English (simultaneous interpretation available)

• Speaker: Klaus Larres, Richard M Krasno Distinguished Professor of History & International Affairs at the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill, Global Europe & Kissinger China Institute Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson Center

Klaus Larres received his BA, MA, and PhD from the University of Cologne (1983-1992). He currently serves as Global Europe & Kissinger China Institute Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson Center and Richard M Krasno Distinguished Professor of History & International Affairs at the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill. Formerly Henry A. Kissinger Chair at the Library of Congress and Senior Policy Advisor at the German Embassy in Beijing, he is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and International Institute for Strategic Studies. His expertise spans contemporary US-German/EU foreign, economic, and security policies toward the transatlantic region, China, and Southeast Asia. Key research areas include US/EU economic-security policies toward China and Southeast Asia; Transatlantic relations and European integration; 20th-century international history. Author/editor of 20+ books, including: Uncertain Allies: Nixon, Kissinger and the Threat of a United Europe (2022); German-American Relations in the 21st Century: A Fragile Friendship (2019); The U.S. Secretaries of State and Transatlantic Relations (2010).

• Opening Remark: Wang Wen, Dean, RDCY; Dean, School of Global Leadership, Renmin University of China

• Discussion: Liu Ying, Research Fellow, Area Studies Department, RDCY

• Moderator: Wu Qicong, Assistant Researcher, RDCY