Discover and read the best of Twitter Threads about #EU_China
Most recents (3)
#EU_China: The German MFA Baerbock added the economic layer to the negative scenario conversation around Taiwan. Any kind of military escalation on the straight could potentially affect 50% of world trade. This affects 12% of freight flows from/to China and⤵️
38% to/from others (Japan, South Korea, etc.). Major trading nations will suffer losses, especially Germany that traded with China goods worth almost €300 billion worth of goods (2022). China was the 4th market for German exports in 2022 (113 billion euros), ⤵️
followed by the US, France and the Netherlands. A war in the Taiwan Straits will have consequences for both China and the rest of the world, unless Beijing is preparing for a blitzkrieg (which is something Russia failed against Ukraine).⤵️
#EU_China: Borrell tried to persuade his Chinese counterpart to put pressure on the Russians to stop the war against Ukraine. It is for the first time that EU officials speak of the "financial crisis" alongside the food and energy crises. Perhaps the EU is facing money issues, ⤵️
which are related to rising energy costs (subsidies to businesses & consumers), as well as the help needed to care for Ukrainian refugees (millions are still in the EU) & from Ukraine (which is in great need of financial support for the economy, the public budget and the army).⤵️ 
But China is not willing to leave Russia alone, when in reality it needs it as a partner to balance against the West. Until the Communist Party congress in October, Xi will not make any radical moves. The current "neutrality" may help get Xi re-elected for a third term.
#EU_China: Ex-PM Berlusconi (Forza Italia) advocates transforming the EU into a military power capable of protecting itself against any external threat. Despite the Russian war against Ukraine, Berlusconi turned his attention to China, which he believed would⤵️
combine old expansionism and modern globalized communism. He made a very strong comment about communism calling it the most inhumane system in history. In his opinion, the EU should develop its own defense capabilities in the military field. A few months ago,⤵️
Russia accused the EU of becoming a military bloc because it was providing military assistance to Ukraine (so far 2.5 billion euros). The EU should become autonomous by developing its own military defense capabilities in terms of manpower and local arms production industries. ⤵️
