European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen took a tough stance on China during her first term, cracking down on subsidies and promoting economic security. Her manifesto for a second term emphasized the need to de-risk rather than decouple from China to protect Europe’s economy.
The shift in EU-China relations was driven by issues like the EU-China investment deal falling apart due to the pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Von der Leyen’s strong stance against China’s economic policies led to a push for tougher trade measures and probes into Chinese industries.
However, challenges remain, with member states skeptical of her economic security strategy. The appointment of Antonio Costa as the European Council boss could impact relations with China, given his past ties to Chinese investment. Von der Leyen faces opposition but remains committed to reshaping EU-China relations.
As the EU navigates a changing landscape, von der Leyen’s China agenda continues to drive policy decisions, setting the tone for future relations with Beijing.
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