EU China policy

In wrestling with its economic vulnerability to China, the EU is betting on diversification to solve its problems. It’s not the panacea it is made out to be.

The recent visits to Beijing of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and European Council President Charles Michel reflected the ongoing attempt to calibrate Europe’s China policy.

Small traces the downward trajectory of China’s relationships with the United States and EU countries.

There were few deliverables from the short visit, but Beijing is hopeful it indicates Germany is moving out of alignment with the U.S. approach to China.

Olaf Scholz has kept Germany’s business-first approach to China but that’s increasingly at odds with trends at home and abroad.

Against the context of all-out strategic rivalry between the U.S. and China, both Brussels and Beijing have good reasons to continue engaging with each other.

Repeated recent engagements are an an opportunity for India and European countries to iron out their differences over the perception of strategic threats emerging from Russia and China.

While China tried to emphasize the potential for general cooperation, EU leaders made clear that their “top priority” is to end the war in Ukraine.

The 2020 deal, already on ice, might be finally dead after China’s refusal to condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Insights from Jonathan Hackenbroich.

Once China’s model partner for engagement with the West, Finland is updating its China policies and seeking wider cooperation with the EU and like-minded partners.