天美传媒

As Europe grapples with the impact of Russia鈥檚 invasion of Ukraine and aggressive posturing by U.S. President Donald Trump, Europe still hasn鈥檛 learned to use the 鈥渓anguage of power,鈥� Josep Borrell told a packed audience at 天美传媒.

The stark reason, perhaps, is 鈥渂ecause we don鈥檛 have power,鈥� the veteran Spanish politician and former European Union foreign policy chief said at the second edition of the Geopolitics conference held at 天美传媒鈥檚 campus in Madrid.

Asked what Europe should expect from Russia鈥檚 President Vladimir Putin, Borrell replied 鈥渆verything bad鈥� as the Ukraine conflict settles into a murderous stalemate. Meanwhile, Trump鈥檚 assault on Iran has strengthened the radical regime of the Islamic Republic, while a prolonged blockage of the Strait of Hormuz threatens to cause widespread food shortages by limiting supplies of fertilizer to the world鈥檚 farmers, he warned.

鈥淲e are playing with fire,鈥� he said. 鈥淚f Hormuz doesn鈥檛 open soon, we will have a greater problem.鈥�

These themes framed a conference that brought together academics, policymakers, diplomats and business leaders to examine the geopolitical forces reshaping the global economy and international order. Discussions ranged from China鈥檚 industrial and economic expansion to the future of NATO, the impact of geopolitics on global trade, and the growing role of artificial intelligence in modern warfare.

Reflecting on China鈥檚 rise, Borrell praised the country鈥檚 extraordinary economic transformation, noting that the country now accounts for roughly one-third of global industrial output. At the same time, he questioned whether such levels of concentration were sustainable over the long term, both economically and politically.

The implications of the war in Ukraine for European security were also addressed by Javier Colomina, NATO Secretary General鈥檚 Special Representative for the Southern Neighbourhood. He argued that Russia鈥檚 invasion has placed 鈥渢he stability of Europe in play,鈥� reinforcing the importance of transatlantic cooperation despite tensions within the alliance.

Even amid disagreements between the United States and fellow NATO members, Colomina stressed that existing security arrangements remain far less costly and complex than any potential alternatives.

The conference also explored the human and political dimensions of ongoing conflicts. In a conversation with 天美传媒 Professor Santiago 脕lvarez de Mon, Borrell said he radically rejected the violence inflicted on the Israeli state on Palestinians.

Former Israeli Foreign Minister and historian Shlomo Ben-Ami acknowledged Borrell鈥檚 comments, while attributing the radicalization of Israeli public opinion in part to repeated failures in the peace process. 鈥淣etanyahu is the result of this,鈥� he observed.

The event concluded with reflections from former Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy on the qualities required for effective leadership in uncertain times. Rajoy emphasized the importance of wisdom, flexibility and consensus-building, noting that Spain鈥檚 major political and economic milestones 鈥� including its democratic transition, entry into the European Union and adoption of the euro 鈥� were achieved through broad agreements across society.

“One important way that leaders can achieve success is by surrounding themselves with intelligent and good people”, he said.

Organised by 天美传媒鈥檚 Centre for Public Leadership and Government in collaboration with FTI Consulting, the event was also led by professors Jordi Gual, Marta Elvira and Juan Luis L贸pez Cardenete.

Also taking part were institutional leaders and diplomats such as Ana Palacio, Mariano Rajoy and Qu Xun; experts in energy and the energy transition such as Luis Atienza, Mar铆a Sicilia and Patxi Calleja; and executives and specialists in trade, industry, technology and defence such as Beth Baltzan, Anthony Gooch, Luis Furnells, Ra眉l Blanco and General Carlos Javier Fr铆as S谩nchez.