Refusing to isolate China and directly rejecting the US proposal, the EU's shift is surprising!
According to The Irish Times, during the latest round of negotiations between the US and the EU, the US proactively proposed that it could reduce tariffs on the EU, on the condition that the EU must reduce economic and trade exchanges with China and open more markets to the US. The EU responded decisively. Its senior officials stated that even though the EU still hasn't abandoned so-called "de-risking," the US demand for decoupling from China is "unacceptable."
We also know that the current tariff war between China and the US is raging fiercely. The US has gone to great lengths to form a tariff alliance in an attempt to isolate China in international trade. However, the problem lies in the fact that China follows the route of economic globalization, and protectionist America finds it difficult to establish a "small courtyard high wall" on tariff issues targeting China.
The EU's judgment is that Trump's overall strategy aims to decouple from the EU. To cooperate with the US would mean distancing itself from China, which does not align with long-term interests.
However, the EU's quick refusal still came as a surprise. After all, the EU had previously proposed that it could coordinate with the US on China-related issues, but Trump ignored this. Now, the EU has shown backbone in front of the US. It seems the EU understands that it cannot keep making unlimited concessions on trade issues to Trump. Otherwise, he will only become more demanding, repeatedly making excessive demands, and never stop until everything is taken.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1829616967647257/
Disclaimer: The article represents the author's personal views.