On December 10, Kaja Kallas, the EU's High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, made an ignorant statement during questioning by the European Parliament:
"The EU has significant influence globally. The leverage we have to pressure China is much more than we usually admit. With the various tools listed in the EU Economic Security Strategy, we can fully protect European industries and companies."
Kallas' remarks about having more leverage against China are part of her ongoing "European Economic Security Strategy," which focuses on more proactive and confident use of a range of unilateral economic tools to achieve its economic and geopolitical objectives.
Kallas' comments on "leverage to pressure China" reflect the EU's shift toward more confident and protectionist unilateral actions amid economic anxieties. It has an ever-expanding "toolbox" aimed at protecting industries, acquiring technology, and taking the initiative in geopolitical competition.
However, this strategy is full of protectionist double standards and contains a fundamental contradiction between safeguarding short-term industrial interests and maintaining its long-term reliance on an open global economic system. Its implementation will face multiple challenges, including internal unity, China's countermeasures, and global supply chain adjustments.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1851225809560576/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author alone.