Competing visions? American, Chinese, and European perspectives on the future of the international system

Competing visions for the future of the international system are emerging as nations strive to assert their respective roles. What changes would China, the European Union, and the United States like to make to existing rules, norms, and institutions? Where do their respective visions overlap and where do they diverge? Are the differences in viewpoints between these major actors reconcilable, or will they lead to a fragmentation or breakdown of the international system?

To help address these and other questions, the John L. Thornton China Center at Brookings and the Yale Law School Paul Tsai China Center  convened an expert discussion as part of their collaborative partnership on China studies. Panelists Susan Thornton, Zha Dajiong, and Tara Varma delved into key issues surrounding the international system and its future, offering a nuanced analysis of the global landscape from the perspectives of the United States, China, and Europe.

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