China Es Un Gran Socio Comercial Y Un ‘Competidor Sistémico’.

Europe is increasingly reliant on China for trade and many major European companies are eager to invest in China’s second-largest economy, despite disruptions caused by Covid lockdowns.

However, the deteriorating relationship with Beijing and regret over the cost Europe paid for being too close to Russia have some EU officials wondering whether to start reducing their exposure.

It’s a calculation that EU Council President Charles Michel has been pondering as he meets with Chinese leader Xi Jinping to discuss strengthening diplomatic ties.

Since the fourth time the leaders of the 27 EU member countries appointed an EU president, Xi has seen a lot.

Relations between China and the EU have since been strained due to the Covid-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The United States has reportedly been imposing restrictions on semiconductor exports to China since October.

Barend Leyts (Michel’s spokesman) said in a statement last week that Michel’s visit offers Europe and China a «timely opportunity» to discuss matters of «common interest.» However, he did not specify what topics would be addressed.

Some Europeans are becoming cautious about close relations with China. This year the bloc was hit hard by its reliance on Russia as its primary energy source. Diversification has risen to the top of his political agenda.

These concerns were raised when Olaf Scholz, the German chancellor, flew to Beijing last month with a delegation of top business leaders to meet with Xi. This was an attempt to strengthen Germany’s second largest export market after the US.

The block is also in similar situations.

Ricardo Borges de Castro, Associate Director, European Policy Center: «Any problem you have at a political or strategic level [between China and the EU] tends to spill over to the economic level.»