The European Union has rolled out a plan to invest hundreds of billions of dollars in global infrastructure projects under the “Global Gateway” program, seen as a counter to China’s controversial Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) that has been criticized as a vehicle for expanding Beijing’s influence around the world. The European Commission (EC), the EU’s executive body, said on Dec. 1 that the scheme will see $340 billion (300 billion euros) in investments through 2027 to boost links in global digital, energy, transport, health, education, and research systems. “Global Gateway will offer a values-based option for partner countries to choose from when deciding how to meet their infrastructure development need,” the EC said in a document (pdf) detailing the new program, billed as based on democratic values and high standards. “This means adhering to the rule of law, upholding high standards of human, social, and workers’ rights, and respecting …