Member of the European Parliament, Marietje Schaake (ALDE/D66), wants European leaders to come to clear agreements with China on the future of our relations. Today and tomorrow, an EU-China summit takes place in Beijing. Schaake: “There is a lot at stake. Apart from economic relations, it is crucial that human rights and the role of China in the world are discussed. For the EU, international law is leading and it must be a priority to make sure that China also acts in line with it.”
No trade war
2016 is an important year for the trade relations between the EU and China. Because the rules in the World Trade Organisation will change in December, the EU needs to find a new wat to protect our economy agains Chinese products that are ‘dumped’ on the European market for low prices. Schaake: “We do not want a trade war, but an open and fair trading relationship, based on the rules that have been agreed. European leaders need to make sure that the Chinese do not have the wrong expectations. Europe will need to keep on protecting its market via tariffs from products that have artificially low prices, but must do so in line with WTO rules. Also, China needs to address its huge overproduction, especially in the steel sector and make sure that European companies are more fairly treated.”
Geopolitical player
Increasing economic power means that China plays a growing role in the international arena. Schaake: “It must be clear that the EU expects China to play this role in line with international law. Serious progress on human rights in the country itself must be realised. The use of the death penalty, censorship and repression are unacceptable if China wants to deepen its economic ties with Europe. The ongoing negotiations about an investment agreement could be a way to address these issues.”
