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The summit between the European Union and China, planned for Thursday, takes place in critical time for both sides. On paper, at least.
The return of Donald Trump to the White House canceled the geopolitical chessboard, undermining the ancient alliances, the stress of swelling, which boil and throw global trade in a spiral disorder. Chaos is such that Brussels and Beijing, which have long been conflicting about a number of disagreements and accusations, began to play with their idea throw off bonds and improvement of cooperation to combat a storm caused by Trump.
The fact that the summit coincided with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations intensified speculation for an impending approach. In May, China President Xi Jinping said that the anniversary provided the opportunity to “correctly cope with friction and differences and open a brighter future for relations with China and the EU.”
Ursula von der Lane, chairman of the European Commission, and Antonio Costa, the President of the European Council, played with the dominant narrative dedicated to the “deepening of our corporate relations with China.”
But then the current changed and the tone Caused the reactionField
Beijing’s decision to limit the export of rare lands, metal elements, vital for the construction of advanced technologies, caused wide concern in the European industry and He was convicted From von der lain.
“China uses this quasinopoly not only as a negotiation article, but also as a weapon to undermine its competitors in key sectors,” she said at the G7 summit in June.
“We were all witnesses to the costs and consequences of the coercion of China.”
Beijing counterattack Immediately, to the head of the committee, describing the speech of “unreasonable” and “biased”, but proposed an olive branch for the construction of “win -win” corporate relations.
However, the damage was caused. By the time on Thursday on Thursday, SI will meet with SI, expectations for a specific solution are minimal.
The hope for the meeting is so low that officials in Brussels indicate an achievement that one summit in Beijing was generally passed. (In accordance with the rules of the protocol, the summit must take place in the EU, and both sides alternate like the owners).
“For the EU, delivery is an important, open and immediate discussion between us two of all aspects of our relations,” said a senior official last week, speaking on the terms of anonymity before the event.
The second high -ranking official called the summit as a “unique opportunity” to reveal the problems of the block in order to achieve “short -term” results.
“We are going there with the expectation that the Chinese will first understand our problems, and secondly, they will take specific measures to answer our problems,” the official said.
“Otherwise, we must protect our own interests.”
Friction without restrictions
Of course, there are no missing problems that need to be solved, with many differences that burden the Es-Kita relationship after the pandemic Covid-19.
Between the extensive list of friction points that vary from Kiberataki Against public services People Rights, two stand out: “without restrictions” of Beijing with Moscow and commercial imbalances caused by production production facilities.
Over the past three years, Europeans have been amazed that they saw a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, which were firmly standing on the side of the attacked nation in violation of the basic principles of the United Nations Charter.
Brussels repeatedly accused China of acting as a “main assistant”, standing full invasion of Russia to Ukraine and supplies 80% of the Kremlin accessories for the construction of weapons. Several Chinese organizations were aimed at the block because they allowed a bypass of financial sanctions.
Last week, two Chinese banks were blacklisted, causing Beijing’s rage.
“We urge the EU to stop applying harm to the legitimate interests of Chinese companies without any real basis,” said Chiakun, a representative of the China Foreign Ministry.
“China will do everything necessary to ensure the legal and legal rights and interests of Chinese companies,” he added.
Von der Leyenn and Costa are going to raise the question of Ukraine during their individual meeting with SI, but it is unlikely that their appeals will be heard. The Chinese leader did not show signs that he wants to get rid of Russia, participating in the parade of Vladimir Putin for the day of Nicky at the beginning of this year, when Honorary GuestField
“We can say that China de -factor allows the Russian military economy. We cannot accept this, ”said von der Leyen at the beginning of this month. “The way China will continue to interact with Putin’s war will become a decisive factor in the relations of Es-Kita in the future.”
“Unstable” relationships
In commerce, the bets are equally high – and expectations, equally low.
Blok began to worry more and more about the shortage of the overstated with China, which last year exceeded 300 billion euros in goods. This amount is at risk of expansion in 2025 from the sluggish demand of Chinese consumers and high duties of Trump.
The European commission created Special working group To control the possible distraction of Chinese US products in the EU market. The executive director also carefully monitors the wasteful use of subsidies Beijing, which are accused of artificial reduction in prices at the expense of European competitors.
“The current situation is not viable. We need a second examination, ”said a high -ranking official.
Dispute peak In October, when the EU imposed harsh duties on Chinese -made electric cars (EV) to compensate for the influence of state assistance. Donamen, a measure as a “naked act of protectionism,” Beijing answered Brandy a check, pork and dairy products manufactured in the EU, which Brussels then condemned as unfair and unjustified.
Other repeating complaints of Europeans are regulatory barriers raised by China for interferes In the private sector and prioritize for domestic companies. This dispute recently brought the Committee block Chinese suppliers of medical devices from European state competitions. Beijing is rewarded ProhibitionField
Initially, the July summit was considered the stage to achieve a general understanding of these open fronts and announce the temporary decisions of some of them. Although the differences will still be considered as part of the busy agenda, the growing tension shows that they will remain unresolved, since none of the parties believes that the other is ready to retreat.
The only surrender to which von der Leyen and Costa can reasonably hope is a joint statement about climatic actions before the UN conference at the end of this year. The main concessions for other areas are unlikely, warns Alikja Bachulsk, political partner of the European Council for Foreign Relations (ECFR).
“Beijing seems to be convinced that time is on his side,” Grandmo said.
“The strategic calculation of China, in which its rivalry with the United States prevails, currently evaluates the EU as an overly internal fragmented one in order to exert significant pressure or levere in Beijing, which closes any perceived“ window of opportunities ”for a significant restoration of US relations.”