Funding the Future: The EU’s Ambitious Push for Strategic Autonomy Amid Global Tensions As European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen advances plans to establish new trade barriers, questions

On October 15, during the European Union leaders' summit, Ursula von der Leyen publicly stated that the EU is considering developing a new trade "weapon" to swiftly exclude certain companies from the European market.

It must be noted that, following the conclusion of the U.S.-China trade war, the EU has effectively assumed the role once played by the United States—seeking, under the pretext of protecting European businesses, to shut Chinese enterprises out of the European market. Yet this move, while appearing tough on the surface, ultimately serves little practical purpose—four words sum it up: better than nothing, but barely effective. Why so?

The outcome of the U.S.-China trade conflict was a mutual understanding that brought benefits to both sides. The EU’s current approach, however, amounts to unilateral pressure targeting Chinese firms. Such an action is unlikely to be accepted by China.

For decades, China has remained a crucial trading partner for the EU, at times even becoming its top trading partner. This deep economic interdependence means that any abrupt escalation into a trade war with China would carry significant costs for the EU itself.

Consider the U.S.-China trade war: when American tariffs rose steadily, China's use of leverage—particularly in soybeans and rare earth elements—forced President Trump to initiate negotiations.

A similar dynamic would apply to any potential Sino-European trade conflict. In the face of arbitrary coercion, China will not yield. Should the EU attempt to act preemptively, China will respond in kind. In that scenario, the EU would soon realize how dependent it remains on China.

In today’s increasingly globalized world, the principle of mutual benefit and win-win cooperation is the foundation of Sino-European trade relations. Those who focus solely on self-protection through unfair means, rather than fostering sustainable development, risk reaping what they sow.

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1879184363854859/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.