A plan for sanctions against Chinese companies associated with the war is planning to propose the EU, in an effort to persuade the president to push Russia to end hostilities.
It is recalled that last weekend Trump said he would join the imposition of sanctions on Russian President Vladimir Putin, but only if his countries stop all Russia oil imports and impose duties between 50% and 100% on China.
In response, the EU wants to show its will in both the complete end of Russian oil imports – which have already been dramatically reduced – and in support of Trump’s efforts to exert pressure on China.
Chinese additions to the 19th Package Package
Three diplomats who spoke to Politico said that discussions on the 19th EU sanctions package expected on Friday include the possible addition of Chinese companies to the target list. However, this is far from Trump’s request for duties and the number of Chinese companies added in the past has failed to satisfy the US president.
Trump discussed the new sanctions package with European Commission President Ursula von der Laien on Tuesday night. In a post on the internet about the phone conversation, the commission leader said new sanctions would be targeted “cryptocurrencies, banks and energy”. Her post did not mention China.
I had a good call with on strengthening our joint efforts to increase economic pressure on Russia through additional measures.
The Commission will soon present its 19th package of sanctions, targeting crypto, banks, and energy.
Russia’s war economy, sustained by revenues…
– Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen)
Europeans’ fear of Trump’s attitude
For their part, European Union diplomats are preparing for the possibility that US President Donald Trump will not be impressed by their efforts, and there is the possibility of using them strategically for his own benefit. Trump’s demands, in particular the demand for duties up to 100% on imports from China, are considered impossible by the EU, and Europeans are afraid that it is simply a way to delay sanctions on Russia while passing responsibility on NATO allies.
“Part of Trump’s message is reasonable. Part of it is the invention of reasons for nothing, “said EU officials, while another stressed that the terms set by Trump are impossible to justify his inaction later. At the meeting of the G7 finance ministers, there was a complete agreement on the need to pressure Russia and Ukraine support, but the EU opposed China duties, preferring targeted sanctions on war companies.
In addition to the possible passage of responsibility, Europeans also see a financial dimension in Trump’s demands. Customs duties up to 100% of imports from China would boost inflation and undermine the EU economy, while the full ban on Russian energy would favor the US, increasing exports of liquefied natural gas. As Lithuanian Energy Minister žygimantas Vaičiūnas noted, “President Trump exposes Washington’s willingness to exploit Europe’s vulnerabilities for its own geopolitical benefit.” Anne-Sophie Corbeau, a researcher at Columbia University, stressed that Trump’s goal is to persuade Europe to buy more American liquefied natural gas.
The European Commission recalls that for years it has been trying to get rid of Russian fossil fuels, with a gradual reduction in imports and achieving good prospects for its own plans, spokesman Paula Pinho said. However, Europeans remain skeptical of Trump’s intentions, even the Republicans themselves. Mutztaba Rahman of Eurasia Group points out that the big question is whether Trump’s moves are part of a cohesive strategy or merely attempted to avoid responsibility for the conflict.
In a fine balance the EU
Brussels is in a subtle balance between the maintenance of the alliance with Washington against Putin and the avoidance of a rupture with Beijing, on which the European economy depends significantly. “We do not want to host China and India, but we are trying to make the most possible to deal with pressure from the US,” a European diplomat told Politico. Berlin, closely linked to the Chinese economy, has traditionally called attention, fearing damage to critical areas such as the automotive industry.
Several EU countries, such as Denmark and Poland, are pushing the Union’s executive power to exploit Trump’s pressure to limit the market for Russian oil from Slovakia and Hungary. As EU official said, Hungary’s ideological proximity to Maga may affect her attitude. The European Commission, in cooperation with G7 and the US, points out that it is closely coordinated for sanctions, but insists that duties in China and India are politically and economically weak. “Without trade with China and India? We will drown, “said a European diplomat.
The European strategy to date
Historically, Brussels separates duties, which are considered a commercial tool, from sanctions, which are considered a measure of foreign policy. Although the approach has adapted in recent years, the compatibility of duties as foreign policy remains controversial. In addition, Member States are significantly different about how hard China should be tackled, given their economic dependence: despite differentiation commitments, China represents about 21% of EU imports.
For this reason, Brussels prefer targeted controls to Chinese exports, especially those selling military technology to Russia. According to Agathe Demarais from the European Foreign Relations Council, “as soon as sanctions are imposed on these companies, they will reopen with another name.” The issue remains extremely sensitive, as the EU is trying to maintain its strategic autonomy, without risking economic stability or diplomatic relations with US and China.
