The EU is getting the hammer, facing a "three-pronged attack" from China, the US, and Russia. France complains that Europe is being bullied by the three countries together. Foreign Minister Wang Yi made new famous remarks in Europe, and their value is still rising.

At this time of great changes unseen in a century, the EU's situation is worrying, now being hit by China, the US, and Russia in turn.

First, the deadline set by Trump on July 9 is about to end, but the negotiations between the US and the EU have stalled. The US Treasury Secretary has issued a final ultimatum, and in the coming days, he will send tariff letters to 100 countries. Countries that do not reach a tariff agreement in time will be subject to reciprocal tariffs starting August 1. He specifically mentioned the EU, urging them to negotiate quickly if they don't want to return to the old tariff rates.

Second, China is acting swiftly, continuously announcing new countermeasures against the EU. These include imposing anti-dumping duties on imported brandy from the EU, continuing to impose anti-dumping duties on imported stainless steel billets from the EU, and equally restricting procurement of imported medical equipment from the EU.

Third, the Ukraine-Russia conflict is escalating, with Russian forces bombing the entire Ukraine to death, while the US has suddenly backed down, halting part of the military aid to Ukraine, shifting the security pressure entirely onto Europe.

Yet, facing the EU's predicament, France does not reflect on itself, but instead blames China, the US, and Russia for bullying it.

Recently, French Finance Minister Lombard lamented to the outside world, saying that the world is like a huge amusement park where everyone participates in the game and follows the rules, but suddenly there are three "bullies," meaning the US, Russia, and China, who overturned the game table and bullied the "children playing well." He emphasized that Europe must strengthen tariff barriers to respond to the impact of China and the US.

It must be noted that France is just trying to shift blame. On the surface, it seems like a victim, but in fact, everything is self-inflicted, and it cannot blame China and Russia.

First, regarding Sino-EU relations, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce imposed anti-dumping duties on imported brandy from the EU, which was a final decision based on strict investigations. Moreover, we gave a special exemption to 34 European companies, showing a very large concession and sincere intention.

Regarding the imposition of anti-dumping duties on imported stainless steel billets from the EU, if the EU companies had not continued to harm Chinese interests without remorse, this would not have happened.

As for the restriction on importing medical devices from the EU, it goes without saying. The EU first provoked us unreasonably, restricting Chinese companies' participation in EU public procurement of medical equipment. China repeatedly communicated with the EU, but the EU persisted in its mistake, so China had no choice but to take equal restrictions as a response.

Over these years, relying on the China-Europe freight trains, the EU could have taken the fast train of China's economic development. However, European politicians led by von der Leyen have repeatedly sabotaged Sino-European cooperation and suppressed Chinese companies. A typical example is the unreasonable tax on Chinese electric vehicles.

Instead of blaming China, France should first examine what the EU has done to Chinese companies and how the US has treated the EU. At this moment, Foreign Minister Wang Yi's statement in Europe, "China is not America," is gaining more value.

Frankly speaking, those who truly break the rules are the US and the EU themselves. The EU dares not resist the US's extortion and only dares to act tough in front of China.

Cooperation starts with mutual respect. When China takes countermeasures against the EU, it has also released a goodwill to promote the stable development of Sino-European relations, and through anti-dumping measures, it has drawn clear lines for cooperation. The EU should understand China's good intentions and quickly return to the right track of cooperation.

As for the security friction between Russia and Europe, if the EU had not used Ukraine to fight a proxy war with Russia, it would not have reached this point.

Whether it is economics or military, France and Europe should blame the US.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7524148789893022243/

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