Risk analysis with experts: Von der Leyen warns against decoupling from China

Risk analysis with experts: Von der Leyen warns against decoupling from China

According to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the EU's policy towards China needs to change as the country has shifted from a reform and opening policy to a security and control policy. Nevertheless, von der Leyen emphasizes that decoupling from China is neither feasible nor in Europe's interest. Instead, the EU should continue to keep communication channels open and cooperate with China in areas such as climate change, pandemic preparedness and financial stability. At the same time, the EU needs more independence and must minimize economic risks, for example in the supply chains of European companies.

As part of this concept, the European Parliament has also approved a new sanctions instrument that, for example, enables punitive tariffs against third countries that want to unduly intervene in political decisions of the EU or its member states. This instrument was introduced because the EU and its member states have been increasingly targeted by economic pressure in recent years. China, for example, imposed trade restrictions against Lithuania that were incompatible with World Trade Organization rules and also affected other exports from the EU internal market.

The risk analysis and the planned measures show that the EU is striving to ensure its economic security and to adapt to the changed geopolitical environment. Cooperation with China in important areas should be continued, but at the same time dependence on China should be reduced and risks minimized.