EU calls for independent policies on China after Macron’s disputed Taiwan comments

European Union officials on Tuesday French President Emmanuel Macron has called for a new joint approach to China following his controversial comments about Taiwan earlier this month.However, this new strategy is unlikely to please the United States.

The Biden administration has so far adopted a particularly critical tone towards the Chinese government and has taken steps to limit China’s influence, including export restrictions on certain technologies. It inspired European countries to do the same.

European countries now have different views on how to deal with Beijing. Some capitals prefer closer ties with the United States, given the key role the United States plays in security and defense, while antagonizing China and jeopardizing deep economic ties. Some countries are afraid. This has led to a fragmented approach to China.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, the EU’s executive body, said: “We can carve out our own unique European approach that leaves room for cooperation with other partners, and so I believe we have to,” he said. he said in a speech on Tuesday.

She argued that relations with China were “too important for us not to define our own European strategy and principles”.

According to Eurostat, China will be the largest source of EU imports in 2022 and the third largest buyer of EU goods, underscoring Beijing’s economic importance to Europe. is particularly important given the economic growth of Ukraine is vulnerable to the ongoing war in Ukraine.

European leaders are seeking closer ties with Beijing, which has refrained from supporting Russia in its war with Ukraine. US intelligence agencies have suggested that China is considering sending weapons and other ammunition to Russia, according to NBC News.

Partly because of climate change, many EU leaders see dialogue with China as crucial to significantly reducing CO2 emissions.

“What I emphasized in Beijing is that we do not want to cut off economic, social, political and scientific ties,” von der Leyen told the European Parliament in Strasburg.

“However, there is an urgent need to realign the relationship between the two countries on the basis of transparency, predictability and reciprocity,” she stressed, adding that “economic risk aversion must be at the heart of future China strategy.” not,” he added.

This marks a significant departure from the US perspective. Because U.S. officials believe complete separation, or decoupling, from Beijing is the best approach.For Europe, it is intended to reduce and avoid risk, Rather than a complete exit from China.

But there is no doubt that this is a difficult process.

After visiting China earlier this month, Macron said the EU should have its own policy on Taiwan and avoid following the US agenda on the issue. He later added that being an ally does not mean being a subject, reinforcing the idea of ​​an independent EU policy.

His comments were criticized not only in the United States, but also in Germany and other European countries.

“We remain fundamentally committed to the EU’s one China policy. There is no reason to question it. We must defuse tensions. Avoid verbal outbursts and provocations that will only foster mistrust.” But any attempt to change the status quo by force will not be accepted,” said Josep Borrell, the EU’s top diplomat, in a statement. He canceled a trip to China earlier this month after testing positive for Covid-19.

On Tuesday, he added that the EU needs to realign its strategy against China.

“We are in rivalry mode, but we have to keep talking to China,” Borrell said in Strasbourg.