Editor's note: Freddie Reidy is a freelance writer based in London. He studied history and history of art at the University of Kent, Canterbury, specializing in Russian history and international politics. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

Since 2016 and the election of Donald Trump, relations between many Western nations and China have become more strained as foreign policy was framed by the trade war. It is therefore telling that in a new era, European leaders are keen to exercise their own strategic priorities independently of their traditional allies.

The two chief architects of this new approach are French President Emanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. While the two leaders have differing motivations, Macron favoring a grand vision of a European super state and Merkel adopting a stance of uncompromising pragmatism, the two are united by a desire for the EU to chart its own course. Central to which is an independent foreign policy, less beholden to the U.S. State Department.

While Merkel and Macron are ambitious in this reshaping endeavor, The European Union as an institution remains highly skeptical of the approach, as was evidenced with the vetoing of the Franco-German plan for a Russian summit last month.

Unperturbed by the setback, Macron and Merkel's trilateral summit with President Xi this week underscored a commitment to cooperation.

While difficulties remain, a press release from the chancellor's chief spokesman Steffen Seibert revealed the scale of shared interest between the EU and China.

According to the statement, the conversation revolved around "cooperation in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, global vaccine supply, and international and regional issues" as well as "international trade, climate protection and biodiversity."

Just as many world leaders felt that U.S. global leadership had lessened during Presidents Obama and Trump's tenures, the challenge that COVID-19 has presented, and the challenge climate change will present, also require the leadership and partnership of the world's second largest economy and most populous nation.

During the virtual summit, President Xi encouraged "mutual respect and close collaboration, rather than suspicion, antagonism or zero-sum games."

Central to the driving motivations of Macron and Merkel's strategy in charting the EU's own relationship with China, is that the relationship is not dictated to or influenced by U.S. interests or past differences.

One area where the potential of a new spirit of partnership is evident was aid in Africa, where the indications are of closer ties between the EU and China. "This can only be a good thing if we discuss our respective standards and approach (to Africa)…" Merkel told reporters.

Aside from shared objectives in developing countries, Elysée Palace sources also indicated that following recent Iranian elections, a window of opportunity was available to revive the nuclear deal, a further example of vital cooperation and shared interests.

Indicative of her methodical, compartmentalized approach, Merkel commented that "we will continue talks on how far we can cooperate and how far there are differences." Such an approach is in sharp contrast with the previous U.S. administration and arguably that of the present.

This spirit of engagement and cooperation is not though, confined to Sino-EU relations. Premier Li told a delegation from the China-Britain Business Council on July 6 that "Britain is committed to multilateralism and free trade, and China shares this commitment. Whatever problems there are, we can always work them out through dialogue."

Leading this initiative of international cooperation, President Xi also indicated China's willingness to convene another leaders' meeting with the EU after the virtual trilateral summit.

As the world begins to recover from COVID-19 and focus sharpens ahead of United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26), the challenges the globe faces are clear, and multilateralism lies at the heart of resolving them. Resolution is often an arduous journey, but prolonged dialogue and engagement will be essential to achieving success and the collaborative leadership of China, European nations and the U.S. will be central to that.

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