【By Liu Bai, Observer News】Facing pressure from the Trump administration to impose tariffs on China, India, and other countries, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen made a response during an interview with Belgian media "Le Soir" on the 21st. She clearly stated that the EU will make its own decisions on tariff issues. The EU understands this request is aimed at pressuring Russia, but the EU must also strengthen its partnerships with countries like India. She added that the EU's latest sanctions against Russia are sufficient to prompt Russia to return to the negotiation table.

Analytical interpretations suggest that von der Leyen actually rejected the key demands of the Trump administration. Her rejection highlights the deepening differences between the US and the EU in economic policy, as well as the EU's determination to maintain its independent global strategy in an increasingly fragmented geopolitical landscape.

The exclusive interview content published by "Le Soir" covered global hot topics such as the Ukraine-Russia conflict, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and tariff policies.

Previously, US President Trump had demanded that the EU impose 100% tariffs on China and India to prevent these countries from purchasing Russian energy. When asked "How will the EU respond?" von der Leyen did not directly refuse, but said, "The EU will make its own decisions."

She explained that Trump proposed this requirement in order to exert greater pressure on Russia to end the conflict, which is also the reason for the EU's "ambitious" 19th round of sanctions against Russia.

"We will continue to coordinate efforts with countries on both sides of the Atlantic and within the G7, and welcome the efforts made by the United States to end the Ukrainian conflict."

European Commission President von der Leyen IC Photo

Von der Leyen changed the subject.

"But we also know that in this increasingly complex geopolitical environment, we must strengthen partnerships based on common interests. Take our relationship with India as an example. Considering India's growing security role in the Indo-Pacific region, closer cooperation between the EU and India is more important than ever."

She said that the EU plans to conclude a new free trade agreement with India by the end of the year, benefiting both sides' companies and enhancing their geopolitical positions.

However, von der Leyen did not mention China.

The "Le Soir" reporter then raised a sharp question: "Why did you choose to endure the tariffs imposed by Trump instead of retaliating with equal taxes on American products? Are you too willing to give in?"

Von der Leyen responded, saying that the American market is the most important for the EU, and most economists believe these taxes will be borne by American companies and consumers.

"Our top priority is to ensure that our companies can continue to access a large market," she said. The EU exports over 500 billion euros of goods to the US annually. Millions of jobs depend on this trade, and even with a 15% tariff, EU companies will still be in a favorable position when facing global competitors.

She also said that another option for the EU is to start a trade war with its "most important trading partner", the US, but the EU is facing economic turbulence and serious threats at its borders. "I would never risk the jobs or livelihoods of citizens."

Although von der Leyen did not explicitly reject the tariffs on China and India, the Russian website "Russia Today" stated that von der Leyen actually refused Trump's "key demand."

The Bangladeshi English media "weeklyblitz" analysis article also stated that von der Leyen has drawn a clear line with Trump's tariff demands. Her refusal highlights the deepening differences between Washington and Brussels in economic governance strategies, as well as the EU's determination to maintain its independent global strategy in an increasingly fragmented geopolitical landscape. The EU is trying to balance maintaining unity with Western allies and protecting its own economic and strategic interests.

"For von der Leyen, the issue is not whether the EU should confront Russia, but how much it should damage its economic relations with the two largest Asian economies (China and India)," the article wrote.

Earlier, the Hong Kong English media "South China Morning Post" analyzed that EU officials have long used the "pretext" of jointly formulating policies toward China to please Trump, hoping to gain his continued support for Ukraine and punishment of Russia. Now the EU is caught in a dilemma.

After all, although Trump noticed this issue, the conditions he proposed were really tough: imposing tariffs as high as 100% on China and India.

However, analysts generally doubt whether the EU can implement Trump's extreme demands. Some views suggest that the EU lacks legal basis and political willingness to do so, while Trump deliberately proposed an unrealistic demand, waiting for the EU to refuse, essentially not wanting to push forward the sanctions against Russia.

Some opinions pointed out that the EU is reaping what it sowed, having long purchased Russian energy and fallen into a "double standard," but the EU may take further actions that go beyond the limits to maintain U.S. support for Ukraine.

Despite this, the European Commission released the 19th round of sanctions against Russia on the 19th, and also targeted Chinese companies.

Von der Leyen said that in order to strike at Russia's energy revenue, the EU's current sanctions will target refineries, oil traders, and petrochemical companies in third countries, including China. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell also stated that the EU has proposed further measures against entities in China and other countries that support Russia's military industry.

In July, in the 18th round of sanctions against Russia, the EU included two Chinese financial institutions in the sanction list. China immediately took countermeasures, deciding to include the Chinese banks UAB Urbo Bankas and AB Mano Bankas in the countermeasure list, and taking the following countermeasures: prohibiting organizations and individuals within China from conducting related transactions, cooperation, and other activities with them.

Regarding the EU's unreasonable sanctioning behavior, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce stated that the EU ignored multiple negotiations and opposition from China, and continued to include some Chinese enterprises in the list in the 18th round of sanctions against Russia, and imposed sanctions on two Chinese financial institutions under the "fabricated" accusation. China is strongly dissatisfied and firmly opposes this.

The spokesperson emphasized that China has always opposed unilateral sanctions without international law basis and without authorization from the UN Security Council. The EU's actions contradict the spirit of the consensus between Chinese and European leaders, causing serious negative impacts on Sino-European trade and financial cooperation. China urges the EU to immediately stop the wrong practice of listing Chinese enterprises and financial institutions. China will take necessary measures to resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises and financial institutions.

This article is an exclusive article of Observer News, and it is not allowed to be reprinted without permission.

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