The European Democratic Party (EDP), under the leadership of its Co-Chair Engin Eroglu, has reinforced its role as a leading force shaping European Union policies toward China. From 18 to 21 May 2025, Eroglu represented the EDP in Washington, D.C., as part of a high-level delegation organized by the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC). The mission underscored the party’s strategic leadership in coordinating transatlantic policy responses to China’s expanding global influence.
The delegation, comprising prominent European figures such as Sir Iain Duncan Smith, former UK Conservative leader, MEP Miriam Lexmann from Slovakia, and Dutch D66 party leader Jan Paternotte, focused on deepening collaboration between European and U.S. policymakers. Central to discussions were strategic alignment, economic resilience, human rights, and security cooperation, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.
Eroglu consistently positioned the EDP as central to Europe’s strategic dialogue, articulating clear European perspectives and advocating for robust transatlantic cooperation. In a crucial presentation to the U.S. House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, Eroglu elaborated on Europe’s innovative “de-risking” strategy. This policy seeks to limit economic vulnerabilities and dependencies on China without severing engagement entirely, emphasizing the necessity of a united transatlantic front.
At the National Endowment for Democracy, Eroglu highlighted Europe’s proactive stance against Chinese disinformation, sharing insights into the EU’s recent legislative advances designed to protect democratic integrity. His participation illustrated the EDP’s commitment to democratic resilience and willingness to collaborate closely with U.S. allies to counteract authoritarian influence operations.
In sessions with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, Eroglu emphasized common challenges in countering Chinese espionage and protecting critical infrastructure. He called for deeper EU-U.S. coordination, particularly through established frameworks like the EU-US Trade and Technology Council (TTC), to strengthen Europe’s defenses against geopolitical and economic threats.
Further strengthening the transatlantic partnership, Eroglu advocated during meetings at the U.S. State Department for synchronized policies on export controls and human rights sanctions. He underscored the effectiveness of coordinated sanctions regarding abuses in Xinjiang and Hong Kong, advocating for alignment between the EU’s Magnitsky-style sanctions framework and U.S. policies.
At the McCain Institute and interactions with State Armor, Eroglu continued to position the EDP as a leader in coordinating policy responses to common transatlantic concerns. He recommended European adaptation of successful U.S. strategies for securing infrastructure and safeguarding against geopolitical vulnerabilities, reinforcing the EDP’s role in setting Europe’s strategic direction.
The “Hello Taiwan Dinner” event provided another platform for Eroglu to advocate for an active European role in enhancing Taiwan’s defense capabilities through technical and defense cooperation, again highlighting the EDP’s leadership in promoting proactive and practical transatlantic security strategies.
Addressing human rights at the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, Eroglu reaffirmed the necessity for close EU-U.S. cooperation to amplify the global impact of sanctions against China’s human rights abuses, demonstrating the EDP’s commitment to an assertive, coordinated transatlantic response.
In a final meeting with the International Republican Institute, discussions addressed China’s retaliatory sanctions on democratic institutions. Eroglu emphasized Europe’s experiences and the importance of resilient democratic structures, underscoring the EDP’s central role in maintaining democratic resilience amid growing geopolitical pressures.
This visit has solidified the EDP’s leadership role in shaping Europe’s China policy, clearly positioning Engin Eroglu and the party at the forefront of transatlantic dialogue. The EDP continues to drive the European response to the complex challenges posed by China, ensuring robust transatlantic unity in policy and strategic action.
