US losing political clout as allies in the European Union look to …

Key Takeaways

The European Union seeks to strengthen ties with China after shunning US pressure.
French President Emmanuel Macron & European Commission’s President Ursula von der Leyen visited Beijing.
Ursula von der Leyen called China “too important” for the EU

The United States is losing political clout as the European Union looks to strengthen ties with China despite Pressure from Washington — *The European Union officials ignore US pressure to forge stronger EU ties with China. Brussels Morning*

YEREVAN (CoinChapter.com) — In yet another blow to the United States, European Union (EU) officials want to strengthen ties with rival China. European allies have had enough despite the Biden Administration’s efforts to alienate Beijing.

Earlier this month, French President Emmanuel Macron visited China. In a controversial move, he argued that Europe should resist the pressure from Washington to engage in harmful wars blindly.

Talking about the possible war over Taiwan in particular, Macron argued that Europe should not blindly cheer for American foreign policy.

“The paradox would be that, overcome with panic, we believe we are just America’s followers. The question Europeans need to answer … is it in our interest to accelerate [a crisis] on Taiwan? No. The worse thing would be to think that we Europeans must become followers on this topic and take our cue from the US,”

POLITICO quoted the French President saying.

In a move that experts view as a plan to make China more prominent, Macron plans to push Beijing to lead the possible peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.

“I know I can count on you to bring Russia to its senses and everyone to the negotiating table,” Macron reportedly told his Chinese counterpart during their bilateral meeting in Beijing.

On the French President’s directives, his Foreign Policy Advisor Emmanuel Bonne, and China’s top diplomat Wang Yi, are currently working to establish a framework for future negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow.

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European Union officials hint at closer ties with China

Over the past months, Washington has pressurized European allies to restrict imports from China, especially in technology. Faced with stiff competition from the Asian economic giant, the Biden Administration wants to halt its speedy growth.

China’s close ties with Russia and its constant threats to invade Taiwan have also contributed to the strained relations between Beijing and Washington.

However, the Biden Administration’s policies vis-à-vis China have only helped Moscow win the support of Xi Jinping.

Concerned about this and the economic implications, officials in the European Union are calling for a fresh joint approach towards Beijing.

China is the third-largest imported of goods from the EU. Moreover, it is the largest import source into the economic Union. Therefore, trade with China, especially during unprecedented Economic hardships, is vital for the EU.

European Commission’s President Ursula von der Leyen says China “is too important for us not to define our European strategy and principles.”

“I believe we can, and we must, carve out our own distinct European approach that also leaves space for us to cooperate with other partners, too,”
she said.

The United States is losing political clout as the European Union looks to strengthen ties with China despite Pressure from Washington .

Ursula von der Leyen called China "too important" for the EU — *Ursula von der Leyen called China “too important” for the EU*

The President of the European Commission has joined French President Emmanuel Macron on his China trip.

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EU’s Foreign Policy Moves to Accommodate China

Emmanuel Macron and Ursula von der Leyen aren’t the only ones in the European Union that believe in forging closer ties with China. Josep Borrell, EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, has also expressed similar sentiments.

EU's top diplomat Josep Borrell doesn't rule out cooperation with China.

The United States is losing political clout as the European Union looks to strengthen ties with China despite Pressure from the United States US — *EU’s top diplomat Josep Borrell doesn’t rule out cooperation with China contingent on Beijing’s behavior*

Borrell, who was also scheduled to visit China earlier this month, canceled it after testing positive for Covid-19, CNBC reported.

While acknowledging the rivalry with China, the EU’s top diplomat agreed that the block must “keep talking with China.” Moreover, he reiterated that the EU does not support Taiwan’s independence. However, he also hinted that aggression towards the unrecognized island nation wouldn’t go unanswered.

“We remain fundamentally committed to EU’s One China Policy. We see no reason to question it. We must lower the tension; avoid verbal outbursts or provocations that can only fuel mistrust. However, any attempt to change the status quo by force would be unacceptable,”
he said.

With the economies of several European nations struggling to recover, the United States is seeing its clout and influence fade away. As a result, Washington growingly looks weak, and the Biden Administration knows it.