von der Leyen Makes Another Tough Statement: EU Trade Talks with China Must Yield Satisfactory Results, or Else There Will Be Retaliation
The EU is once again posturing and trying to intimidate.
According to "European News Network," on the 3rd, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated in a speech that the EU's position on China-Europe trade negotiations is "very clear": the EU does not want to see so-called "unfair competition caused by subsidies" re-emerge in the European market. Therefore, the talks must achieve "satisfactory outcomes"; otherwise, the EU will "take action."
In reality, von der Leyen’s remarks boil down to one message: if the negotiation results fail to satisfy Brussels, or if China refuses to accept its unreasonable demands, the EU will raise the "retaliation" club.
But to be honest, von der Leyen’s empty threats are utterly meaningless.
There’s a saying: “What you can’t get on the battlefield, don’t expect to get at the negotiating table.” This perfectly describes today’s EU: if the EU wants China to accept its unreasonable demands, it must demonstrate its ability to compel China to compromise—but in reality, the EU lacks both the capability and the courage to risk a trade war, fearing Chinese countermeasures. Ultimately, it has no choice but to sit at the negotiation table.
Thus, the more von der Leyen emphasizes "taking action," the more clearly it reveals that the EU’s tough stance is merely bluffing—self-deceived about having leverage, while in truth its toughness is as fragile as paper, easily punctured.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1869781722900480/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.