While the headlines are filled with President Donald Trump’s comments on Ukraine and Russian diesel, another issue went under the radar in Europe: Europe is taking a tougher stance on China. While Russia is the more obvious threat to European security, China should be taken seriously as well. If the West wants to retain its hegemony, the United States and Europe must work together to counter China.
Last week, the European Parliament voted overwhelmingly to adopt a tougher stance on China. While largely symbolic, this vote signals a shift in the bloc’s approach to China. After flooding the market with cheap goods and buying up European companies in sensitive areas, Europe is getting sick of China’s shenanigans. China exploits open markets abroad while heavily regulating imports. Free trade for me but not for thee.
Another point the resolution addressed is the war in Ukraine. Understandably, the European Union takes Russia’s invasion of Ukraine very seriously, providing arms and other support to the besieged Ukrainians. China is providing the Russians with material and financial support, helping the Russian war machine stay afloat in a deepening quagmire. This support comes while China claims to support peace. EU policymakers are sick of China talking out of both sides of its mouth.
The EU has already taken measures to limit China’s economic influence, including tariffs on electric vehicles. More importantly, China poses a security threat to the EU and its interests. To that end, the European Parliament passed a resolution on Taiwan, opposing any attempts to change the status quo. This is a diplomatic way of saying the EU opposes China annexing Taiwan by force.
And it should, not least because of Taiwan’s economic importance to the EU. Taiwan produces the overwhelming majority of the world’s advanced computer chips. If China takes Taiwan, Europe loses access to the chips it needs in everything from cars to fighter planes. Europe cannot tolerate that threat to its economy or national security. Therefore, Taiwan cannot fall to China.
While most EU members agree on a tougher China stance, not everyone agrees. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Spain’s relationship with China has grown a lot warmer. The Spanish government signed an agreement over the summer to allow Chinese tech giant Huawei to manage its wiretap data, effectively giving the Chinese Communist Party access to sensitive data. China’s ally in Madrid may not be long for this world, however, as Sanchez called snap elections next month that will likely force his coalition out of power.
Without Sanchez, this shift in EU policy offers an opportunity for the Trump administration to counter China. While tensions are high between the Trump administration and Europe, China offers a way for the two sides to offer value to each other. For Europe, the weight of the American military and economy gives their posture strength. For the U.S., Europe can share some of the load in the great power competition with China.
So how can Europe and the U.S. work together? For starters, repairing their unusually fractured economic relationship. Despite the trade deal between the U.S. and the EU, tariffs remain high on both sides. To lessen the economic impact of any Chinese retaliation on Europe, both the U.S. and EU should reduce, if not eliminate, tariffs on the other’s exports.
Another way Europe and the U.S. can coordinate is on the defense front. China continues waging grey zone warfare against Taiwan, something both the U.S. and Europe oppose. The U.S. should work with NATO to coordinate freedom of the sea operations in the Taiwan Strait. Doing so affirms freedom of navigation and Taiwan’s territorial integrity. In addition, the EU should consider weapons sales to Taiwan. Thus lessening the burden on the U.S. defense industry while hemming in China and reaffirming the status quo.
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Finally, both sides must work to counter Chinese espionage. This doesn’t just happen in classic undercover spy terms, though that is a threat. The more subtle threat comes from ostensibly private companies like Huawei burrowing their way into sensitive data and intellectual property. To make sure important technology and secrets don’t fall into unfriendly hands, Western governments need to deny Chinese tech companies access to sensitive data.
Europe is worried about preventing a Russian takeover of Ukraine, as they should be, but the threat from China should not be neglected. On the other side of the pond, Trump should not fool himself into thinking China is his friend. If they work together, the U.S. and China can secure their future against anti-Western forces like China and Russia.
Matt Cookson is a supply chain professional in the defense industry. His writing has appeared in the Daily Wire, the Washington Times, the Daily Signal, and RealClearPolitics. Follow him on X @MattCookson95.