Photo: IC

The China-Europe relationship is a model of win-win cooperation among countries with different political systems, development processes, and civilizations. As the international situation has changed dramatically in recent years, increased complications have also emerged in China-Europe relations. The most significant external change can be found in US diplomatic strategy and the impact it has had on global trade and economy.

China and Europe are under pressure and face increased risk created by US unilateralism and trade protectionism. Washington has used tariffs as competitive leverage against Beijing and there have been structural changes in China-US bilateral relations. China has since realized the trade conflict with the US could become a long-term issue.

Europe has experienced US bullying tactics. In unilateral fashion motivated by trade interests, Washington likes to pressure the EU to open its market even wider. This has caused the bloc to be held up by steel and aluminum tariffs. The EU-US trade dispute could extend to the aviation industry, digital tax sector, and automotive products. Although the EU is dissatisfied, it still wishes to get Washington back on track through negotiations.

The US affects China-Europe relations in two ways. One, US unilateralism harms international order, which inspires China and Europe to discover more common interests and different ways to pursue economic cooperation, specifically in areas involving the Iran nuclear issue, climate change, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and protecting free trade. 

Both sides hope all parties concerned can protect global stability and cooperate instead of agitating regional and global conditions for sake of self interest. Meanwhile, neither China nor the EU wants to be kidnapped by US hegemony, considering the US has threatened the EU on the Nord Stream 2 project and 5G network development.

On the other hand, as the US has tried to use the trade war and suppression strategies to squeeze the Chinese economy and China's development, the move has triggered the EU's competitive mentality toward China's economic strength and development model. 

The European Commission released "EU-China - A strategic outlook" in March, where it described China as a "systemic rival." The EU handles Chinese economic and technological strength with a zero-sum mentality rather than a common interest perspective. This mind-set is unavoidable as China's economic strength and industrial competitiveness continue to rise. It also shows how Europe cannot accept China's rise in various sectors. 

US suppression of China accentuated the EU's negative mind-set. Anti-China hawks in the US have demonized China's concept of economic governance, along with the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which in turn diminishes European confidence in Western political and economic systems. 

This adds to European concerns with China's path and the country's leadership role. Such concerns are intertwined with populism, protectionism, and Western supremacy. Thus, European countries have become more vigilant toward China. Some countries have even moved closer to the US on trade and human rights issues, further challenging China-Europe relations.

Both sides will lose the opportunity to develop if the EU cannot cope with competition from China. If the EU pursues so-called absolute reciprocity and obstructs BRI development and other initiatives, it will lose chance to handle global challenges together with China. 

The world is big enough for all parties to develop. Global and regional challenges, such as climate change, terrorism, regional instability and internet governance, concern the future of humankind, and can be achieved only through joint efforts. As two of the largest global markets, China and Europe should choose methods aimed at increasing cooperation.

Next year marks the 45th anniversary of China-Europe diplomatic relations. Moving forward, both sides should enhance mutual trust and learn to be more tolerant of each other's politics and economic and cultural differences. 

Meanwhile, they should have a greater understanding of each other's strategic intentions and eliminate all misunderstandings. Besides, China and Europe should cooperate in areas that concern mutual trust, strengthen multilateralism, and promote WTO reforms. Only by cooperating in a practical and cooperative way can both sides inject more stability into today's uncertain world.

The author is a research fellow with the Institute of European Studies, China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn


Newspaper headline: Stronger China-Europe ties need of the hour