Belgian PM Calls for Unified Strategy Against China

On Tuesday, Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever urged European leaders to come together to develop a strategy addressing China’s ambitions for economic dominance. He remarked, “We are so afraid that we do not even have the courage to name China’s unfair trade practices.”

Trade relations with China are expected to be a central issue at the EU summit scheduled for June 18-19 in Brussels. De Wever has consistently raised alarms about the detrimental effects of China on Europe’s economy.

Speaking at an event hosted by pro-EU think tanks in Brussels, de Wever emphasized that the atmosphere among European leaders is increasingly cautious regarding China. He suggested that a collective economic strategy is necessary. “Europe must respond. The only question is how,” he stated.

De Wever expressed his disappointment that French President Emmanuel Macron is set to lead an initiative involving G7 nations and China to tackle global trade imbalances and address China’s unfair practices.

“That’s fine, but we’re doing a lot of work. It’s time to adopt a strategy,” he said. He also noted, “China hasn’t been very proactive. They have a strategy, and that strategy is to use our efforts for breakfast.”

He criticized the tendency to avoid directly naming China, commenting, “They call it geo-economic imbalance, but they don’t mention China by name because we are too afraid to do that.” According to data cited, the EU’s trade deficit with China has climbed from 312 billion euros in 2024 to about 360 billion euros in the following year.

Earlier in March, de Wever had urged European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to take a stronger stance against China, arguing that European firms are being placed at a disadvantage in their domestic market. He suggested that the EU should reassess its relations with China and strengthen ties with the US, Japan, and India, which face similar challenges from China.

Interestingly, Donald Trump’s tough approach towards China seems to be influencing Europe’s stance. EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčović recently indicated a desire to align with US strategies in trade discussions with China after a meeting with a Chinese counterpart in Paris.

This meeting followed the European Commission’s acknowledgment that trade relations with China are “unsustainable,” signaling a shift towards more stringent measures against Beijing.

China’s government has cautioned the EU that reducing dependence on China shouldn’t be seen as a straightforward solution. They argue that European industries make decisions based on a range of factors, including cost and technology, questioning whether “diversification” might merely be another form of protectionism.

Many other European leaders echo de Wever’s concerns. Manfred Weber, the leader of the European People’s Party, recently warned that Europe needs to shift its approach toward China and protect its economic interests. He expressed concerns that the trade deficit with China poses a risk to Europe’s industrial foundations.

“If we don’t fight back, China will destroy some of our industries. The EU must now use its trade policy tools decisively and without hesitation,” Weber concluded.