Chinese Premier Li Keqiang wrapped up his trip to Brussels where he attended the 12th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM). So what new impetus will be injected into European ties with China?

Although the ASEM Summit focuses on EU-China ties, Washington and its policies were frequently discussed at the meeting. How will Asia and Europe strengthen cooperation against the backdrop of rising unilateralism and protectionism in the US?

Fraser Cameron, the Director of EU-Asia Center in Brussels, explained that even though China and the EU share common ground on a number of matters, the relationships among China, the EU, and the US may change on controversial issues such as WTO reforms and market access in China.

"It's like a three-dimensional game of chess where different actors play on the board with different allies and opponents depending on the subject. It's not just the case of two against one here,” said Cameron.

Asked about France's stance on the EU-US trade tensions, Joav Toker, a professor from the American Graduate School of International Affairs in Paris, believed Trump's policies on trade, climate change and treaties signed prior to his arrival to the White House need to be taken into consideration.

With US midterm elections approaching in less than three weeks, Toker believes the election outcome might modify some elements regarding the strength of President Trump and the sense of liberty he could pursue, as well as the trade battle he launched toward China and the EU.

Jin Ling, a senior research fellow at the China Institute of International Studies, believed that apart from Trump's unilateralism, rising populism sentiments in European countries have also added uncertainties in terms of maneuvering room between China and Europe.

(If you want to contribute and have a specific expertise, please contact us at opinions@cgtn.com.)