Hosted by our partner The European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), NAVIGATOR brought together researchers, policy experts, and high-level practitioners on 25 March 2025 at the Volkswagen Drive Studio in Berlin for its second external expert groups meeting. The event focused on Europe’s evolving position in a volatile international landscape marked by declining trust in multilateral institutions and the growing influence of ad-hoc and informal cooperation mechanisms.
Panel Discussion: “Europe’s Approach to International Cooperation in a Trumpian
World”
The conference opened with a public panel discussion that tackled one of NAVIGATOR’s most pressing questions: how can the European Union continue to support international cooperation in an increasingly transactional, fragmented, and unpredictable global environment?
Moderated by Kristina Kausch, Deputy Managing Director & Senior Policy Fellow, at the German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF) the panel featured insights from:
- Fabienne Hara, Deputy Director General, Paris Peace Forum
- Malte Brosig, Professor of International Relations, University of the Witwatersrand
- Principal Investigator John Karlsrud, Research Professor, Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI)
- Anders Nordström, Former Swedish Ambassador for Global Health and former Acting Director-General of the WHO
Together, the panellists offered a debate on the consequences of declining US leadership, the growing complexity of multilateral diplomacy, and the need for European leadership and adaptability.
John Karlsrud warned of an accelerating erosion of multilateral structures, using Hemingway’s phrase “Gradually, then suddenly” to describe the ongoing legitimacy and capacity crises facing global governance institutions. He also underscored the need for creative “search mechanisms” to guide EU policymakers in identifying reliable international partners in a context of rising transaction costs and informalization.
Fabienne Hara emphasized that the U.S.’s strategic withdrawal from its hegemonic role has left significant gaps in global leadership, compelling the EU to step up. She called for new coalitions with strategic partners such as China (on climate), India (on trade and technology), and the UN (on peace and security). Hara also urged abandoning the outdated dichotomy of “Global North vs. South,” pointing to the growing diversity of interests within the so-called Global South and advocating for flexible, issue-specific coalitions.
Malte Brosig contributed a sobering analysis of the UN’s diminishing effectiveness, referencing a marked decline in consensus on resolutions and the problematic role of permanent veto powers such as Russia. He questioned the EU’s capacity to lead, urging greater strategic engagement and systematic reform efforts.
Anders Nordström brought the conversation down to earth with a sharp reminder of the real-world consequences of global governance failures, particularly in health. Reflecting on the U.S.’s withdrawal from the WHO, he argued that the EU must find innovative ways to fill emerging voids, both financially and diplomatically. He advocated for strategic regional alliances and targeted investments, particularly in African countries that are increasingly investing in their own public health capacities.
The Q&A that followed allowed the audience to probe deeper into the implications of a “multi-order world,” the potential of informal alliances like BRICS+, and the prospects for a new generation of UN peacekeeping missions, possibly even in conflict zones like Ukraine. Participants reflected on the challenges of working with non-democratic or unstable partners while also recognizing the importance of broadening the EU’s outreach and redefining what meaningful multilateralism can look like today.
Keynote by Former State Secretary Dr. Franziska Brantner
Former State Secretary Franziska Brantner delivered a keynote address moderated by Anthony Dworkin (ECFR), calling for a more strategic, united, and value-driven European Union in a rapidly shifting global context.
Brantner emphasized that the EU must step up its investment in defence and technological competitiveness, particularly as the U.S. retreats from key international roles. “We cannot replace the U.S. everywhere,” she noted, “but we must choose where to step up strategically.” She warned of growing monopolies in tech and stressed the distinction between abolishing competition and abolishing democracy, urging the EU to guard both.
Highlighting Germany’s increased defence spending and current reluctance for deeper EU coordination, she underscored the importance of cooperation at the European level. On global governance, Brantner was realistic: the EU will not resolve structural issues within the UN or WHO overnight, but must nonetheless act where it can make a difference, especially in defending human rights and gender equality.
She also pointed to a shifting mindset among European youth, with declining interest in studying or working in the U.S. and German universities encouraging local academic paths. The EU, she argued, should seize this moment to become a space for critical thinking and democratic resilience.
On China, she advocated for pragmatic cooperation on climate and technology – pushing not only for imports but for Chinese investment in European innovation. The overarching message: Europe must be more transactional, realistic, and united, while remaining anchored in its core values.
The evening ended with an informal networking reception, where panellists, researchers, and Berlin-based guests continued the conversation over drinks and small bites.
Looking Ahead
The Berlin conference confirmed NAVIGATOR’s role as a critical space for dialogue on the EU’s international role in a rapidly shifting world order. It combined grounded analysis with policy relevance and helped advance the project’s reflection on flexible, effective, and legitimate pathways for European engagement.
On 26 March, experts and researchers met for a foresight exercise based on the future of EU foreign policy, using strategic scenarios to map out potential challenges and opportunities for European global leadership. Discover our key takeaways by reading our dedicated blog post!
