Today, #EU foreign ministers meet in the #Gymnich format to discuss, among other topics, #China. Is the EU well prepared to agree on a new CN strategy? Chances are below 50%, but even if consensus on a text could be found, strategic differences will not completely disappear. 1/8
🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/bueti/status/1656969484094038016
Probably @vonderleyen's proposal to focus on de-risking our CN relations will find great support. However, having heard @Bundeskanzler speak about "smart" de-risking, everybody must understand that the next battle will be focusing on what kind of risks ... 2/8
🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/bueti/status/1656969486174502915
... Will there be agreement that competition and systemic rivalry with China are on the rise and cooperation is waning? Three priorities should be addressed: Ukraine, Taiwan, Human Rights. On Ukraine, China is in the Russian camp. 4/8
🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/bueti/status/1656969490242887682
The EU should not shy away from calling a spade a spade. On Taiwan, the EU should adopt the common position that the G7 have found. On Human Rights, the EU cannot be satisfied with a pro forma dialogue as earlier this year. 5/8
🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/bueti/status/1656969492038135809
On the other hand, two major mistakes should be avoided. CAI must not be resuscitated. The time when CAI could have had a minor positive relevancy (at best!) has gone by. Leave it in the freezer. 6/8
🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/bueti/status/1656969494168780801
Also, the EU must not ignore the increasing dangers also for European trade and investment that come with Xi Jinping's obsession with security and control. 7/8
🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/bueti/status/1656969496328847360
The EU will continue to speak with different voices on China, but the persistent pursuit of more harmony among the 27 must not be abandoned. 8/8
🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/bueti/status/1656969498119864325
... and how much urgency is given to addressing them. De-risking must not become a smokescreen behind which business as usual broadly persists, with only a few minor tweaks. Very important: ... 3/8
🐦🔗: https://n.respublicae.eu/bueti/status/1656969488103878656