Another day, another hardline statement from the European Union. This week, the European Parliament voted by a landslide for a significantly
tougher China position, despite long-standing Beijing lobbying.
The report labels China a “decisive enabler” of Russia, calls for a “continuous” European naval presence and joint exercises in and around the Taiwan Strait, and describes Beijing’s industrial policy as an “existential threat to the EU”. “[T]his parliament can send a clear message: no more dumping, no more spying and fair competition,” said its lead author, the Belgian lawmaker Hilde Vautmans.
The message may be clear; its wisdom is not. European warships near Taiwan will not make Beijing back down. Reunification is the one issue on which Beijing will
never compromise.
This came after France and Germany demanded a
new trade weapon, set out in a joint paper and a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. It threatens to cut off access to the EU market when third countries cause severe distortions. In effect a kill switch, it would grant the European Commission dramatic new powers to respond swiftly.
