The European Union last week released a package of measures that put meat on the bones of its economic security strategy.
Like many governments, Brussels is worried about geopolitical tensions imperiling its future, either through the loss of technologies vital to its growth or by exposing member states to economic coercion.
Similar concerns are voiced daily in Tokyo and Washington, but dig into the background of the EU measures and a surprising picture emerges. Europe’s fear of coercion isn’t unfounded; the source of its concern is an eye-opener, however.