China’s leader Xi Jinping is in Europe this week for the first time since the pandemic broke out five years ago. During that time, the majority of EU countries have become more suspicious in their view of China.
The last few weeks have brought news such as the arrest of Chinese spies in several places in Europe, a raid on a state-owned Chinese company that sells security equipment to European airports and European ports full of Chinese electric cars.
Xi Jinping can so expect tough discussions on the trip that he hopes will consolidate Europe as a partner easier to deal with than the United States.
The biggest contentious issue is Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has shaken the entire security policy situation in Europe. Here, the EU and China take completely different paths. While European companies have pulled out of Russia to squeeze the country’s economy, Chinese companies have filled their void, despite China’s official neutrality in the war.
Chinese exports to Russia have increased sharply and, according to reports, some of it supports Russian arms manufacturing. It is about the export of mechanical engineering and electronics that can be used in the manufacture of drones, tanks and aircraft.
Photo: Evelyn Hockstein/AFP
When US Foreign Minister Antony Blinken visited Beijing last week, he strongly urged China to stop this type of export. A message that French President Emanuel Macron is expected to repeat.
During the second half of the trip, which goes to Serbia and Hungary, Xi Jinping can lower his shoulders
Another wooden area is the Chinese overcapacity in products such as solar panels and electric cars. The EU accuses China of competing on unequal terms through government subsidies.
Electric cars are particularly relevant. An abundance of Chinese electric cars are ready to flood the European market at low prices. An EU review of the Chinese companies is expected shortly, paving the way for punitive tariffs. In this area, one can expect that Xi Jinping will argue.
There could be tough discussions with Macron and the chairperson of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, who is also participating in Monday’s meeting in Paris. She has previously shown that she is ready to go hard against China.
During the second half of the trip, which goes to Serbia and Hungary, Xi Jinping can lower his shoulders. These are two countries that are among the most China-friendly in Europe and that, unlike most EU countries, participate in China’s major infrastructure investment, the new Silk Road.
Among other things, China has set up car battery factories for electric cars in Hungary and, as part of the New Silk Road, has financed a railway that will run between Budapest and Belgrade. As a thank you, Hungary has distinguished itself in the EU circle by blocking statements criticizing human rights in China.
So it is a divided Europe to which Xi Jinping arrives and it is to China’s advantage. A union that does not agree is easier to exploit.
If he also succeeds in driving a wedge between the EU and the US, it is a success from a Chinese perspective. The prerequisites are there.
Photo: Thomas Karlsson
The French president clearly marked when he visited China last year that France is independent and does not stand behind the United States in all situations. The statement came in connection with a question about Taiwan, which China considers to be part of its territory and which it threatens to invade militarily if all other avenues are exhausted.
Europe should stay away from the tension between the US and China regarding Taiwan, Macron said, sparking an uproar in the rest of the EU.
Read more:
Europe’s concerns: Total dominance for Chinese electric cars
Blinken: Without China’s support, Russia would have problems in the war against Ukraine
