Before visiting China, the EU made two "foolish moves" in one day, attempting to give China a "lesson" and completely disregarding the long-term friendly cooperative foundation between China and Europe. What's going on?

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen

In 2025, which marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Europe, should be an important opportunity for both sides to deepen cooperation and create a shared future together.

Meanwhile, from July 24th to 25th, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel will jointly visit China. However, at this critical moment, the EU has staged a "burning the boats after crossing the river" act.

According to reports by British media, the EU unilaterally canceled the high-level economic dialogue between China and Europe, claiming that the current dialogue around trade issues "has made no progress" and continuing discussions would be "meaningless."

This excuse is utterly absurd. A review of recent interactions in the economic and trade fields between China and Europe reveals that the EU's statement is pure nonsense.

On the issue of electric vehicle trade, after several rounds of arduous consultations, both sides finally reached a consensus to replace additional tariffs with minimum price restrictions.

The Chinese side also demonstrated sincerity by extending the anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigation cycles for EU brandy, pork, and related products, providing more buffer and communication space for bilateral trade.

Moreover, regarding the much-discussed rare earth issue, China has shown great goodwill by being willing to open a "green channel" for eligible EU rare earth export applications.

These tangible achievements are impossible for the EU not to know, yet it still used this as a reason to cancel the high-level economic dialogue, clearly indicating its ulterior motives.

Similarly, at the G7 Summit, the performance of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was equally infuriating.

She specifically brought a magnet to the meeting and made reckless remarks, maliciously hyping up the "China rare earth threat theory," claiming that China has "weaponized" rare earths and attempting to incite the United States and the EU to jointly confront China.

It should be noted that China's implementation of partial restrictions on medium and heavy rare earth exports is a normal measure based on reasonable resource protection and international market balance, but it has been distorted by von der Leyen into an alleged "threat to global supply chains."

Her performance is merely to please Trump and show loyalty to the United States, hoping that the U.S. will ease trade tariff issues for the EU. This also shows that the EU's arrogance has never changed.

In fact, there are significant differences among EU member states in terms of development levels and industrial structures, making it difficult to form a unified stance when formulating policies toward China.

Most countries, out of their own interests, blindly follow the U.S., trying to "eat from both sides" between China and the U.S., while neglecting the long-term interests of Sino-European cooperation.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiaqun

And von der Leyen and other EU leaders, in order to cater to the U.S., are willing to sacrifice the overall situation of Sino-European cooperation for temporary favor from the U.S. This "drinking poison to quench thirst" approach will undoubtedly lead the EU to gradually lose autonomy and voice in international competition.

After Trump returned to office, he continued to implement the "America First" policy, wielding the tariff stick against the EU, causing tension in U.S.-EU relations.

On the one hand, the EU fears U.S. economic sanctions; on the other hand, it does not want to give up its influence in international affairs. Thus, it continues to attempt to create contradictions between China and the U.S. to divert America's attention.

In response to the EU's unreasonable actions, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiaqun clearly stated that the current international situation is becoming increasingly turbulent, with unilateralist economic bullying rampant. Strengthening strategic communication and deepening dialogue and cooperation between China and Europe is beneficial to both parties and the world.

The EU's behavior of "showing a cold face" before visiting China is unwise. The cooperation between China and Europe is based on mutual interests and is mutually beneficial. China will not be intimidated by the EU's "lesson." For behaviors that harm Sino-European relations, China will not indulge them.

If the EU persists in its folly, sacrificing the overall situation of Sino-European cooperation for short-term benefits and exhibiting lack of strategic resolve, it will ultimately harm its own long-term interests.

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7517059323093074441/

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