Domestic contestation in the EU commercial arena: China and open strategic autonomy

This article focuses on the study of relations between the European Union (EU) and China through the application of role theory. Specifically, it explores three trade disputes in which recurring patterns of domestic contestation within the EU are observed. The aim of the article is therefore to explore the application of Open Strategic Autonomy (OSA) in the EU's external action, focusing on trade interaction with China and the evolution of domestic contestation in this context, linking these elements to role dynamics in foreign policy. The article argues that the concept of OSA corresponds to a resolution strategy to reconcile the different expectations found in European domestic contestation, merging various elements of the roles performed by the EU. At the same time, it is argued that OSA promotes greater coherence in the EU's role performance in external action. The study also contributes to the exploration of the link between external actors and domestic contestation with role implications, thereby providing new insights into the application of role theory in the EU as a global actor.