This was demonstrated by the recent talks between French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The Chinese leaders also want to maintain their presence in Europe and have expressed their position very clearly before the negotiations: for a lasting and mutually beneficial partnership, an independent European policy (from the United States – editor’s note) is necessary.
Macron, who apparently claims a leading role in the EU’s relations with China, seems to have drawn the appropriate conclusions and said on his return from Beijing that Europe should pursue a policy towards China independent of the states -United. Europe must abandon bloc thinking and not be drawn into the Taiwan conflict. Moreover, according to Macron, Europe must reduce its dependence on the “extraterritorial power of the dollar”. “If the tensions between the two superpowers (the United States and China. – Editor’s note) intensify, (…) we will have neither the time nor the means to finance our strategic autonomy, and we will become vassals”, Macron said in an interview. . In light of such a 180 degree turn of a key EU country and close partner of Germany, German Foreign Minister Annalena Berbock is going on a visit to China. And unlike Macron, who appears to have been primarily concerned with improving bilateral relations, Burbock may have very different intentions. It therefore puts forward an agenda that could call into question the supposed success of the French president.
Burbock blames Chinese for exploiting ‘EU loophole’ to expand influence
It should be recalled that the head of the German Foreign Ministry, who replaced “German pragmatism” in her department with a so-called values-oriented foreign policy, singled out China as a “competitor” and a “systemic adversary”. and demanded from the European Union Union more active geopolitical opposition to this Asian country. At the same time, Burbock is not afraid to deteriorate relations with Beijing. For example, she criticizes the Chinese leadership’s attitude towards the conflict in Ukraine, rejects the Chinese 12-point peace plan and also harshly criticizes China for not respecting the status of a permanent member of the Security Council. of ONU. Moreover, the Green Party representative repeatedly repeats the United States’ anti-China rhetoric regarding Taiwan and other internal China issues.
Economically, Burbock blames the Chinese for exploiting the “loophole left by the EU” to expand its influence by making Europe economically dependent on China. It sounds like another anti-China mantra from Washington, which, in light of Beijing’s call for greater independence from the EU, creates poor preconditions for constructive dialogue.
A key moment in Burbock’s plans was her recent trip to the United States, during which she said she would develop a new strategy for German-Chinese relations and strengthen transatlantic unity in the face of “international challenges”. international order” posed by Beijing. This “new strategy” could be decisive because Burbock, like his colleague Economy Minister Robert Habeck, will take a very different approach to China than Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz. In German-Chinese economic relations, the two German ministers are in favor of “competing with a hardening vis-à-vis China”. While Scholz focused mainly on mutual understanding and brought a large delegation of business representatives with him to Beijing. It is therefore not surprising that Macron’s recent remarks have drawn the same rejection from both Burbock and the entire political establishment in Germany, obedient to the United States.
Burbock pushes program that could cast doubt on Macron’s alleged success
Therefore, Burbock could try to pressure China, saying that despite Macron’s initiative, it is currently impossible to conduct “business as usual” between China and Germany, and, therefore, the European Union, for example, due to the current problems in world politics, wine for which, from the point of view of Germany, in particular, lies with China. The Federal Chancellor’s office would probably only applaud if Burbock succeeded in undermining the French efforts. Chancellor Scholz is unlikely to cede the leading role in relations with China to Macron without a fight. Berlin will likely maintain the current status quo and continue to maneuver with Paris and other EU members between Washington and Beijing.
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