Last Friday (29 May), following a debate among the college of commissioners, the EU Commission said that its “overarching approach remains de-risking, not decoupling” and described China as a “critical partner”.
“At the same time the current state of the trade and investment relationship is not sustainable. As economic and security interests become ever more intertwined, both dimensions will require a more robust and coherent response,” the commission added.
But detail was in short supply.
What to do about China will be on the agenda at this month’s G7 summit in France and EU leaders’ summit. Even so, quizzed by reporters on Monday (1 June), commission spokespeople were only slightly more forthcoming.
“It must be recalibrated, it must be reciprocal, it must be fairer,” said trade spokesman Olof Gill of the EU-China trade relationship.
