Europe risks being crushed in the power play between China and the US. “The EU must finally decide which side it is on,” says Brussels correspondent Oliver Grimm. Commission President Von der Leyen at least hinted at that in a speech on Thursday – and is surprisingly confident of stepping on Beijing’s toes. What does this mean for relationships?
Why doesn’t EU Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen buy into Beijing’s “peace initiative” in the Ukraine war, why China is neither friend nor foe, and somehow both at the same time and for that Europe’s energy transition relies heavily on Chinese raw materials.
After his speech on Thursday, von der Leyen will travel to China next week with French President Emmanuel Macron. There’s more than enough to argue with Chinese ruler Xi Jinping about the war in Ukraine and strategic trade relations. Not everything will be welcomed there.
Mutual dependencies and growing racism
“It is difficult when President Xi tries to play the role of protector of the international system on the outside, but issues slogans on the inside that would be more right-wing extremists in Europe,” analyzes “Presse” correspondent in Brussels, Oliver Grimm im Conversation with David Freudenthaler It is evident that China has an ambivalent relationship with Europe: “On the one hand, there are extremely close economic ties. Superior race -Thoughts.”
Guest: Oliver Grimm
accommodation: David Freudenthaler
Cut: Audiofunnel/Aaron Olsacher
credits: CNN, BR24, DW News
More on the subject:
>>> Susanna Bastaroli: Editorial: Europe is finally waking up: but it can only face China as a united force
>>> Oliver Grimm: “China is becoming more repressive”: the EU’s new strategy
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