EU-China: negotiations under high diplomatic tension

Audio 03:52

By: Aabla Jounaïdi Follow

This Monday the leaders of the European Union and those of China are meeting for a 22nd EU-China summit in videoconference, coronavirus requires. A discussion that was originally intended to prepare for a special summit in Germany in September, since officially canceled due to the pandemic. The meeting comes at a time when, after the health crisis, Europeans want to defend a more demanding approach vis-à-vis Beijing.

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Xi Jinping himself and his ministers will face the new team from the European Commission for the first time. The big EU-China summit originally planned for spring in Germany was to be a huge highlight of relations between the two regions, which also celebrate the 45th anniversary of their relations this year.

For more than seven years, they have been in discussion for a global investment agreement, which is supposed to be found this year. But of course, the coronavirus has been there. Delays have accumulated, but above all distrust. Europe believes that it can no longer show only a smiling and pleasant face in order to develop trade with its big partner.

The health crisis, part of China, has for several European countries acted as a revealer.

The shortcomings in the medical supply have come to light through the lack of masks and medicines. The great dependence on China in this area has revived the debate on the relocation of supply chains. And not only in the health sector, but also in the automotive industry, in new technologies and in space. Even states very much in favor of free trade want to toughen the rules. The health crisis, we have talked about it a lot, was also the occasion to see at work an aggressive Chinese diplomacy which played on internal divisions in Europe.

How does the European Union intend to assert its sovereignty?

Proof that things have accelerated with the pandemic. Last week, the European Commission finally presented its line regarding the protection of European companies against unfair competition from foreign companies subsidized by states. China is not mentioned but it feels targeted, unfairly according to it.

The EU also wants to express its eagerness for the Chinese market to open up more to European companies. According to a study by the EU Chamber of Commerce in China, 11% of European companies based there plan to repatriate their investments this year. 60% of them intend to stay but are in a hurry to be able to play on equal terms with their local competitors.

These economic discussions take place in a context of maximum political pressure

First, at the European level, where the so-called mask diplomacy was received in a mixed manner according to the States which could see above all a show of force, helped by aggressive propaganda.

The records of Hong Kong's autonomy and Uighur detention camps are hotter than ever. The European Parliament passed a resolution last week (timely timing) to call for a higher tone regarding China's national security bill. And then of course, there is Washington. Already at work to prevent the development of Chinese telecoms giants like Huawei, the American administration would like to see the Europeans openly taking sides against China on all issues.

This is the complexity of the European position

To take the example of Germany, which takes over the presidency of the European Council in a few days, it is China's first European partner and the second of the United States. Literally stuck in between. The head of American diplomacy, Mike Pompeo, asks the Europeans to choose their side ... in the name he says, of the values ​​they have in common. While the interest of Europeans, weakened by the economic impact of the pandemic, would also be to get along with China.

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