The European Union’s two-fold multilateralism in crisis mode: Towards a global response to COVID-19
| DOI | 10.1177/0020702020987858 |
| Date | 01 March 2021 |
| Published date | 01 March 2021 |
| Author | Chantal Lavallée |
| Subject Matter | Scholarly Essay |
Scholarly Essay
The European Union’s
two-fold multilateralism
in crisis mode: Towards a
global response to
COVID-19
Chantal Lavall
ee
Royal Military College Saint-Jean, Humanities and Social
Sciences Department, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Canada
Abstract
The European Union (EU) has been strongly criticized from the outset for its alleged
mismanagement of the COVID-19 pandemic which began early in 2020. Several observ-
ers even predicted the end of European integration. This article examines how the EU
has been managing the crisis, with a focus on how this has impacted its external
relations, notably with Canada. It will argue that this crisis, as is the case with most
crises the EU has gone through, has brought to light existing ambiguities in European
governance, but that it has not led to fundamental questions about the EU’s and its
member states’ overall commitment to Europe’s “two-fold multilateralism” (i.e., inter-
nal and external collaboration). EU representatives have re-emphasized this principle
when reiterating the need for both European coordinated actions as well as a global
response to the COVID-19 pandemic, working closely with their partners, including
Canada. Therefore, amid the evolving and serious health-related and economy-related
challenges, the crisis offers an occasion for the EU to strengthen and deepen both its
integration and its global role.
Keywords
Canada, European Union, COVID-19 pandemic, multilateralism, transatlantic relations
Corresponding author:
Chantal Lavall
ee, Royal Military College Saint-Jean, 15 Rue Jacques-Cartier North, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu,
Quebec, J3B 8R8, Canada.
Email: Chantal.Lavallee@cmrsj-rmcsj.ca
International Journal
2021, Vol. 76(1) 17–29
!The Author(s) 2021
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DOI: 10.1177/0020702020987858
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