In his remarks on the need to distance oneself from the US in foreign policy, the French president makes European partners uncomfortable by referring to Taiwan. Poland revolts after Germany says that the EU cannot be “indifferent”.

Article by Irene Castro – Correspondent in Brussels for ELDIARIO.ES – Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) The European Times has translated this article.

A systemic rival, a hard competitor and a cooperative partner. Three definitions, which may seem contradictory, are used to describe the EU’s relationship towards China. The leaders of the EU-27 set out the rules for the game in October last year, in preparation for the search for an rapprochement between the Asian giant and the European club.

The EU has been searching for its role in a world that is increasingly polarised. Brussels has been preparing for a US-China trade conflict and many of its policies have been aimed to minimise dependence on Xi Jinping’s regime due to mistrust. However, the EU has been reviving diplomacy at various levels while not losing sight of their strategic relationship with the United States.

“Efforts are going in the same direction. No one in Europe, whether it’s a member of the Commission or a government official, wants to separate from China and have two blocs in the world. Everyone agrees that we must engage with China but responsibly and in the interests of Europe. We cannot be blinded by the risks and dependencies, says a European source.

In a speech she gave before her trip to Beijing, Ursula Von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, argued this. She repeated the message in Beijing. Before Xi Jinping was elected, the head the EU executive complained of “imbalances” between trade relations. Moreover, The German leader made it clear the EU’s relationship will depend on its position with Russia regarding the conflict in Ukraine. The EU has concluded that Only Xi Jinping could convince Vladimir Putin.

Von der Leyen was far more harsh than French President Emmanuel Macron who she accompanied during that visit. “I know I can rely on you to bring Russia back to its senses and bring everyone to the negotiation table”, said the liberal leader who was welcomed in luxury by Xi Jinping in Beijing and at a Canton dinner. Macron, who traveled with businessmen, was able to secure economic benefits including an order from the Chinese leasing firm CASC for 160 aircraft.

The storm was started by Macron, whose announcement of his visit had already raised suspicions in the allies. As soon as he left for home after his visit to China, the French president defended the idea that Beijing was asking for more autonomy for the EU in relation to the United States. In an interview given to the newspapers Les Echos et Politico on the flight back, Macron defended his belief that the EU-27 should have “strategic autonomy” and be a “third pillar” in relation to the two opposing powers.

Macron said that Europeans could not be “vassals” to their allies in reference to the US. He was specifically referring to Taiwan, one of the main focal points of tensions between China and the US. Macron said that it would be a mistake to think that the Europeans were going to have to follow the US in this matter, and adapt to their pace and an overreaction from China. This was at a time where China had been conducting military exercises with the United States. Simulated attacks from aircraft carriers Around the island in response the trip of the president, Tsai ing-wen, California.

“We want good partners, we want friends, but we want to be able to choose them and not depend on them”, he said at an event in The Hague a few days after, where he warned that if the Europeans lose their sovereignty and become dependent on other powers, “they will no long decide on their own”.

The position on Taiwan put Brussels in a difficult position and caused tensions with partners on both sides. The EU government made it clear that the EU position on the island had not changed. “There is an established ‘one China policy’ and we continue to demand peace and stability in Taiwan Strait. We also take a strong position against any unilateral change of status quo in Taiwan Strait, especially through the use force,” responded the spokesperson. The EU has strong trade relations with Taiwan but does not recognize it as a sovereign country.

Mateusz Morawiecki was the most vocal in his criticism of Macron, as he was about to embark on a trip to America. “They are looking at China with a short-sightedness in order to sell EU products there, at a geopolitical price, making us more and not less dependent on China,” he said, in Washington, where he is more aligned. “You cannot protect Ukraine today by saying that Taiwan has no business,” he warned. According to AFP, “I think that if Ukraine falls or is conquered the next day China can attack Taiwan.” In an interview, EPP leader Manfred Weber said that the EU should be “on the side of Ukraine” and Taiwan.

These statements again made Brussels uncomfortable. It was noted that the EU does not have a war situation on the island.

Annalena Bärbock, the German Foreign Minister, was more diplomatic. She distanced herself from Macron, stating that Europe “cannot remain indifferent” when it comes to tensions over Taiwan, during her visit to China. She also defended the formation of alliances with countries who share European values, in reference to the US, when faced with “security threats” like Russia, reports Politico.

The US government avoided a bloodbath with Macron’s stance. “France is the oldest ally of the United States.” Vedant Patel, State Department spokesperson, told reporters at a press conference that the values we share continue to guide our relationship. His words were not ignored and were questioned at a press conference by Republican politicians.

Brussels is trying calm the waters and reduce tensions. “We have several member states with significant variations in emphasis, but they are all agreeing with the general policy toward China, which was reiterated at the October European Council,” a European source says on the trinomial of “partner”, “competitor”, and “rival” that the EU is seeking. China’s own relationship with the United States.