The objective of this book is to present Europe’s relations with two powers struggling for primacy in world affairs – the U.S. and China. International relations specialists agree that the United States is the current hegemon, and the most serious contender to take this preeminent place in the global hierarchy is the People’s Republic of China – an emerging great power with ambitions for creating a new world order. In the third decade of the 21st century, Europe has become the object of competition between these two major powers, and the rivalry between these great powers is intensifying. Even worse, with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, interstate war has come to Europe, after a peace lasting many decades.

This book provides an introductory overview of the status of international affairs between Europe, the U.S. and China before Donald Trump won the presidential election in 2024.