‘Climate change in trade’: battle lines drawn on Europe’s new China strategy

European Union leaders are convening in Brussels to deliberate on a potentially revised China strategy, with speculation rife about the evolving dynamics among member states. The core of their discussion, veiled in bureaucratic language as "global macroeconomic imbalances and their implications for Europe's competitiveness and prosperity," is a thinly disguised reference to China.

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global macroeconomic imbalances and their implications for Europe’s competitiveness and prosperity

This sensitive topic has been notably absent from formal agendas, reflecting the significant apprehension surrounding it. Leaders are wary of provoking forceful retaliation from Beijing, while simultaneously needing to navigate the competing interests of individual member states, each pursuing its own unique relationship with China.

Despite the lack of a written agenda, officials involved in the planning stressed that the meeting signifies more than just a discussion. They indicated that the council intends to provide the European Commission with "very powerful" guidance on how to proceed, suggesting that concrete steps are anticipated even without immediate public declarations.

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confused with inaction

Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever has emerged as a prominent critic of China within the EU. The outcome of these discussions could signal a fundamental shift in the bloc's approach, potentially forging a more united front in its dealings with Beijing.

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very powerful