The Archive

The questions. The debates. The verdicts.

Explore every session of The Long Council.

18 of 151 sessions
  1. 13 June 2026

    How can the EU reduce its dependency on US and Chinese AI?

    Verdict

    Europe must build AI capability through strategic state investment while liberalizing regulations to attract private talent and capital.

    USEUChinaGovernanceGeopoliticsAI & Technology
  2. 13 June 2026

    Who would win from European degrowth—the planet, China, or nobody?

    Verdict

    China wins from European degrowth while the planet loses.

    EUChinaEconomyGeopoliticsClimate
  3. 11 June 2026

    How can the EU protect its economy from heavily subsidized Chinese imports?

    Verdict

    The EU must impose targeted tariffs to counter China's $57 billion subsidies while building its own industrial capacity.

    EUChinaEconomy
  4. 11 June 2026

    Should the EU impose trade barriers against China to protect its economy?

    Verdict

    Trade barriers will slow European innovation more than they protect strategic industries.

    EUChinaEconomy
  5. 1 June 2026

    Is China's surveillance system a public safety success or a human rights failure?

    Verdict

    China's surveillance system delivers measurable stability and development outcomes while systematically destroying individual agency and human rights protections.

    ChinaGovernance
  6. 28 May 2026

    Will China surpass the US in economic output and technological leadership?

    Verdict

    China will likely overtake US GDP by 2030, but internal cohesion and institutional management matter more than raw economic size.

    USChinaEconomyGovernanceAI & Technology
  7. 22 May 2026

    As China prospers, will its population demand democracy or greater freedoms?

    Verdict

    China's prosperity will generate demands for greater freedoms, but not necessarily Western-style democracy.

    ChinaEconomyDemocracy
  8. 18 May 2026

    Should the Netherlands limit ASML exports to China under American pressure, or determine its position independently?

    Verdict

    The Netherlands should set independent export limits based on Dutch security interests, not American strategic demands.

    USChinaNetherlandsEconomyAI & Technology
  9. 15 May 2026

    As China prospers, will its population demand democracy or greater freedoms?

    Verdict

    China's prosperity creates middle classes who want political voice, but the party can satisfy those demands without Western-style democracy.

    ChinaEconomyDemocracy
  10. 14 May 2026

    How can the EU avoid a full-blown trade war with America and China?

    Verdict

    Build what both superpowers need but cannot easily replace, then make them compete for access.

    USEUChinaEconomy
  11. 13 May 2026

    When China invades Taiwan, should the US protect Taiwan's democratic regime?

    Verdict

    America faces an impossible choice between abandoning a democratic ally and risking war with a nuclear power.

    USChinaGovernanceDemocracy
  12. 8 May 2026

    How would Confucius judge Trump's leadership?

    Verdict

    Trump succeeds by the measures that matter to him but destroys the trust that makes democratic leadership possible.

    USChinaGovernance
  13. 5 May 2026

    Will China become the new hegemon power and will it replace the role of the United States over the next decades?

    Verdict

    China will become a major power equal to America, but whether it becomes the dominant hegemon depends on choices both powers have not yet made.

    USChina
  14. 1 May 2026

    Can Vietnam position itself in a way to compete with China for manufacturing business from western countries?

    Verdict

    Vietnam can compete for manufacturing business, but only by building superior infrastructure first and accepting a complementary role to China rather than direct competition.

    ChinaEconomy
  15. 29 April 2026

    Should Taiwan aggressively strengthen their military capabilities in order to fend off China?

    Verdict

    Taiwan must build military strength but through strategic ambiguity that raises occupation costs without revealing defensive plans.

    ChinaWar
  16. 29 April 2026

    Should the EU subsidize manufacturing industries to regain independence of China?

    Verdict

    Europe must build exit options from Chinese manufacturing through targeted subsidies, but not attempt full industrial autarky.

    EUChinaEconomy
  17. 28 April 2026

    Should China take control of Taiwan by military force?

    Verdict

    Military force would be strategically catastrophic for China, destroying decades of economic development while failing to achieve sustainable control over Taiwan.

    ChinaWar
  18. 26 April 2026

    Should the EU tighten its partnership with China in light of the deteriorating relations?

    Verdict

    Europe should deepen institutional unity first, then engage China economically while building independent strategic capabilities — but whether this balanced approach remains viable depends on forces beyond European control.

    USEUChinaEconomy