The Pitfalls of a ‘Geopolitical’ European Commission

She was responding to recent global developments, notably the rise of protectionism, the gradual erosion of multilateralism and the "great power competition" between the United States and China.

But what exactly does a "geopolitical Commission" mean — and what are the potential pitfalls of such an aspiration?

As a term, "geopolitics" comes from the study of international relations. At the most basic level, it refers to the interaction between geographic factors and a state's foreign policy.

More elaborate definitions understand it as the study of national foreign policies in light of the global distribution of military and economic resources and the respective power dynamics between nations.  

Applying the notion to the European Commission means moving it to the supranational level and applying it to an institution with limited powers to act on behalf of the geographic area it represents.

The distribution of competences between the European Commission, other EU institutions and the member states is clearly delineated by EU treaties and varies depending on the issue area.

The Commission has, for instance, the competence to act on behalf of the EU in the field of trade, but defence and military matters remain national competences.

The Commission's ability to bundle the EU's political, economic and military resources to influence global dynamics is thus not only limited, but also highly variable. 

A general view of European flags fluttering in the wind outside the European Commission in Brussels, Belgium. EPA-EFE/STEPHANIE LECOCQ

Concrete implications 

Beyond this more abstract conceptual dimension, the geopolitical framing has concrete implications for the Commission's level of ambition, priorities and...