How to avoid a trade war with China? MEPs debate on The Ring

Published on 06/05/2026 - 20:30 GMT+2

Trade tensions betwixt China and the European Union are escalating aft Beijing called connected EU subordinate states to revise the bloc’s projected “Made successful Europe” legislation.

The draught connection of the European Commission seeks to tighten the rules for overseas companies that privation to enactment successful EU nationalist procurement contracts oregon payment from concern opportunities.

The initiative, which aims to bolster Europe’s concern capacity, was met with crisp disapproval by China’s commerce ministry who affirmed that if the EU “insists connected this punishment and treats China’s enterprises successful a discriminatory manner,” Beijing would respond with countermeasures. In different words, retaliation.

While Europe is trying to navigate a satellite of assertive tariffs by Trump’s administration, is it heading toward a full-scale commercialized struggle with China — oregon tin it inactive onslaught a equilibrium betwixt extortion and cooperation?

The taxable couldn't person been much timely erstwhile this week's contenders stepped into The Ring astatine the European Parliament successful Brussels.

In the near corner: Sakis Arnaoutoglou, a Greek MEP from the Socialists and Democrats Group (S&D), subordinate of the Delegation for relations with the People's Republic of China successful the European Parliament and an advocator for a pragmatic attack to planetary tensions.

He cautions against escalation: “Europe indispensable stay unfastened to practice with China, but it cannot stay naive. We request a narration based connected fairness, reciprocity and transparency. The purpose is not confrontation.”

In the close corner: Nicolás Pascual de la Parte, a Spanish MEP from the centre-right European People’s Party (EPP), subordinate of the Committee connected Security and Defence successful the European Parliament and a beardown transatlanticist.

He warns astir the planetary powerfulness displacement driven by Beijing: “China’s export restrictions are an escalation of the weaponization of commercialized policies. We person to face this successful a astute way. That means we cannot decouple from China, but we person to de-risk.”

This occurrence of The Ring is anchored by Stefan Grobe, produced by Luis Albertos and Amaia Echevarria, and edited by Vassilis Glynos.

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