The EU4 and the Indo-Pacific: Different drivers and approaches within a common strategic framework

In 2021 the EU has published an Indo Pacific strategy, following the example of the US. Despite a rich and growing number of studies focusing on EU foreign policy towards the region, there is a lack of studies comparing the policies of the EU member states in the region. This paper addresses this question by analysing the logic behind the Indo-Pacific policies of the four main EU member states that have trade and investment stakes in the region, namely France, Germany, the Netherlands and Italy. It explains differences between the role of the four actors by adopting a pluralist theoretical approach and, more specifically, by using the lenses of realist and liberal theories of International Relations. It sketches four ideal-types of actors emerging in the region, namely the realist (France), the multilateralist (Germany), the neo-mercantilist (The Netherlands) and the reactive pragmatist (Italy).