Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated on Tuesday that the EU’s strategy towards China will focus on “de-risking” instead of “decoupling,” during her address at a European Parliament plenary session on EU-China ties.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen criticised China on Tuesday for its industrial overcapacity, export controls, and backing of Russia’s war against Ukraine. In a statement to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, Von der Leyen emphasised that
“our relations with China must be rooted in a clear-eyed assessment of the new reality.”
The statements set the stage for a summit later this month at which EU leaders will raise Beijing’s “no-limits partnership” with Vladimir Putin’s Russia.
“We can say that China is de facto enabling Russia’s war economy, and we cannot accept this,”
She briefed European lawmakers.
Why is the EU shifting from decoupling to de-risking?
Von der Leyen stated that Europe’s economic relationship with China requires rebalancing, reducing risks, and strengthening diplomatic efforts, especially regarding climate change and environmental concerns.
She began by praising China as a remarkable global civilization that has transformed into a major global power over the past 50 years.
But her praise quickly gave way to criticism, as she blamed Beijing for working outside of international regulations and flooding global markets
“with subsidised overcapacity — not just to boost its own industries, but to choke international competition.”
How does China’s trade policy threaten EU industries?
Beijing operates
“the largest trade surplus in the history of mankind,”
She went on to say that European companies were finding it harder to do business in the Chinese market, where they faced systematic discrimination.
“I’ve always said it: Europe is fully committed to result-oriented engagement with China,”
Von der Leyen said, calling on Beijing to engage in a meaningful dialogue that leads to actual change.
“If our partnership is to go forward, we need a genuine rebalancing.”
