Recent moves by Beijing to provide masks to EU countries have been dubbed “mask diplomacy” and seen as a way to keep trade ties alive, especially in the race to win 5G contracts in Europe.
However, the EU’s industry chief recalled that Europe had also helped China. “Let us remember Europe has been helped by China but we’ve also come up with goods (for China) worth several billion euros,” Thierry Breton, European Commissioner for Internal Market told MEPs. “Now we see Europe become the epicentre after China and China is helping us. When it comes to France and Germany – they’ve provided more masks than China has.”
The suspected origins of the coronavirus outbreak in markets has prompted some MEPs to ask for more protection, especially considering that an EU-China investment agreement should be signed this year. The EU’s foreign policy chief who previously criticised China’s “politics of generosity” has taken a more conciliatory tone this week saying.
Any apparent propaganda wars between Brussels and Beijing will need to be put aside as international trade will be crucial in fighting the looming economic crisis. The negotiations for closer Chinese-European relations have been dragging for seven years, a legacy of the previous European Commission that saw China as a systemic rival.
Source: Euro News
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