Could Trump’s return to power in US widen EU’s rifts over China?

Increased pressure on the European Union to pick sides between the United States and China when Donald Trump returns to power could widen the bloc’s internal divisions, a panel discussion heard on Sunday.

In recent years the bloc has increasingly focused on the competitive aspects of the relationship – having dubbed Beijing a systemic rival – while trying to balance its desire to maintain positive economic relations.

However, the recent decision by Brussels to impose tariffs on imports of Chinese-made electric vehicles threatens to trigger a trade war. Beijing retaliated with its own levies on brandy imports and is threatening further measures targeting agricultural products.

Russia’s war with Ukraine is another important factor and Feng Zhongping, the director of the Institute of European studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Baichuan Forum in Shenzhen the broader dynamics this brought into play would help shape the bloc’s relationship with China.

Most of the bloc’s members are strong supporters of Ukraine and Beijing’s close ties with Moscow have caused intense distrust despite its repeated denials it is providing support to the Russian war effort.

“The EU may aim to keep a positive relationship with the US while continuing its economic cooperation with China. However, under Trump’s administration, Washington is likely to push the EU to choose sides between Washington and Beijing,” Feng told the event at the Chinese University of Hong Kong’s Shenzhen campus.