Early in the new year, two REMIT researchers from Maastricht University, Catherine Yuk-ping Lo and Hengyi Yang, published a co-authored article through the Atlantische Commissie, discussing the growing transatlatic drift over AI, and how China might fit into it.
Catherine Yuk-ping Lo says on behalf of the authors: “The EU and US increasingly find themselves at odds over competing approaches to AI governance. This transatlantic divide presents opportunities for China to emerge as a strategic beneficiary. But will this alter Beijing’s long-term strategic plans? REMIT researchers Catherine Yuk-ping Lo and Hengyi Yang argue that while the transatlantic divide creates favourable conditions, China is not overly concerned about this bilateral disagreement for three key reasons.
Firstly, China’s commitment to an alternative model for global AI governance predates these divisions. Secondly, China understands that the internal rift between the EU and the US does not necessarily mean either will adopt the Chinese model. Thirdly, instead of merely exploiting divisions within the Western bloc, China aims to garner support from like-minded countries in the Global South.
For transatlantic policymakers, the key takeaway is that the EU and US must first resolve their differences and seek common ground before worrying about Beijing exploiting divisions among democratic allies. A coordinated Western strategy is essential to counterbalance China’s influence. The EU and US should join forces to develop high-standard, reliable, and inclusive AI governance plans, even in the current volatile geopolitical landscape.”
Abstract
The EU and US increasingly find themselves at odds over their competing means and goals for AI governance. This transatlantic divide offers opportunities for China to emerge as a strategic beneficiary. But will this actually alter Beijing’s long-term strategic plans?
The American AI Action Plan advocates minimal regulation and voluntary frameworks to promote financial and technological innovation. The EU’s AI Act, on the other hand, embraces strict binding rules and ethical frameworks to uphold human rights protections. This fragmentation has intensified recently, as the US president threatened to impose tariffs on countries, including European allies, with tech regulations or digital taxes he deemed “designed to harm or discriminate against American technology.”
Full Citation
Lo, C., Yung, H. (2026) ‘The transatlantic divide over AI is growing. Will China profit?’, Atlantische Commissie, January 2026
https://www.atlcom.nl/magazine/the-transatlantic-divide-over-ai-is-growing-will-china-profit/