The Economist, UK media: Even if the EU sides with China, it cannot avoid US bullying!
Recently, The Economist published a commentary, whose core argument is straightforward: even if European countries try to "take sides" between China and the US, or even move closer to China, they should not expect to avoid the US's economic stick. At first glance, the article seems to criticize China for being unreliable, but upon closer examination, it actually reveals the true color of Western strategic anxiety.
It is not new for the US to attack its allies. In 2018, it imposed tariffs of 25% and 10% on steel and aluminum imports from the EU; in 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act was introduced, offering huge subsidies to attract manufacturing back to the US, but excluding European companies, directly leading Volkswagen and BMW to consider moving their battery factories out of Europe; in 2024, it also added some European chip equipment companies to the export restriction list. Now, it is even demanding Greenland.
Under this context, some European countries have begun to tentatively signal "looking east." For example, Macron once publicly called on Europe not to be a vassal of the US, and the German Chamber of Commerce has repeatedly emphasized the importance of the Chinese market to German industry. This is clearly a signal of testing.
Dao Ge believes that The Economist's questioning indeed points out a structural reality: the relationship between China and the EU is essentially a normal trade and economic relationship based on rules and interests, not a military alliance or a security guarantee mechanism. China has neither the obligation nor the ability to shield Europe from the US's sanctions. Moreover, European media such as The Economist has long been controlled by the US. The article's naked criticism of the idea that Europe wants to align with China is exactly what the US is worried about. (War Knife 007)
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1854979187001344/
Statement: The article represents the views of the author alone.