On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Europe, European leaders seized the opportunity to prepare for a delegation visit to China. China has prepared a big gift in advance, which has hit the spot for Europe. However, whether Europe can get this gift depends on its sincerity.

Emmanuel Macron and Angela Merkel

Recently, according to US media reports, several European leaders including Merkel and Macron are planning to visit China next month. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Europe, so it is only natural that both sides strengthen their exchanges. However, at the same time, there was also a piece of news that the two sides may reach a record-breaking deal.

The famous European aircraft manufacturer Airbus may sign a big order with China, ranging from 300 to 500 aircraft, which could set a new record for Airbus orders. It is believed that this is also one of the important reasons why European leaders are vying to visit China. Meanwhile, China is also willing to close this deal as a gift for the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Europe.

However, whether the two sides can reach an agreement and whether Europe can get this big gift depends on the negotiation results. For Europe, this is not just a simple trade behavior, but a carefully planned move. If Europe and China can finalize this deal, it will not only bring economic benefits to Europe but also achieve deep integration among industries, tightly binding the economy of China and Europe together.

Airbus aircraft

For China, exchanging Airbus orders for European technical support for China's large aircraft is also a good deal. Currently, China's domestically produced C919 has not yet obtained airworthiness certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and can only operate domestically. If China secures the European billion-dollar order, Europe must reconsider its certification of the C919 and stop delaying it.

Both sides have much to gain from this deal. However, if Europe successfully secures a new order, Trump will probably be the most worried person. On one hand, Boeing, an American competitor, has had nearly zero orders in China for five consecutive years, while Airbus has signed one big order after another with China. If the new large order is finalized, Boeing might completely withdraw from the largest aviation market in the world.

Boeing passenger aircraft

On the other hand, in the case of the EU imposing additional tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles in 2024, countries like Finland and Hungary have repeatedly abstained. If the aircraft deal is signed, Germany and France may openly oppose the US ban on chip equipment exports to China. These "betrayals" in the eyes of the US are actually Europe's rational survival strategies.

Currently, both China and the EU face tariff threats from the US. Cooperation between China and the EU to resist US tariff shocks is what Trump fears the most. In the face of the China-Europe aviation alliance, Trump can only resort to threatening more tariffs, but this may not prevent China-Europe cooperation. Boeing has also protested to Trump, clearly stating its unwillingness to become a "political sacrifice."

Trump criticizing the EU

The signal of seeking economic autonomy also reflects Europe's political demands. As expressed by an expert from Switzerland at this year's Shangri-La Dialogue, no European country wants to decouple from China. Threatening Europe with military spending and tariffs will only backfire and accelerate Europe's approach to other countries and regions.

The order contracts in the hands of European leaders are essentially death certificates for the unipolar world. While the US is indulged in the big stick of tariffs and long-arm jurisdiction, China is using open markets and win-win industrial chains to turn former allies into partners in the new order. The US will eventually realize that relying on encirclement and suppression through hegemonic means cannot last forever.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7512024584553480744/

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