
Sharpening the EU’s China Policy
The EU is sharpening its policy towards China, with a new European Commission document describing the country as a systemic rival. Now, the EU is demanding that China introduce changes (such as opening its market), and threatening restrictions if they are not introduced within the prescribed period. This new approach is a means of developing a harder policy towards the PRC and becoming independent of U.S. pressure. At the EU-China summit (9 April), an attempt to take a stricter course resulted in moderate success. EU unanimity and the shape of its institutions after the European Parliamentary elections remain a challenge.
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