EU’s Incoming Foreign Policy Chief Signals Bold Stance on China

China must bear a “higher cost” for supporting Russia’s war machine, the European Union’s foreign policy chief-designate said on Nov. 12.
While members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have the power to reject the European Commissioners-designate, Kallas was widely expected to sail through the approval process.
During the three-hour session, she addressed a wide array of topics, tackling issues related to multiple global conflict hot spots—from the ongoing war in Ukraine to the EU’s approach to the incoming Trump administration, along with strategies for countering China’s growing influence in Africa.
Kallas identified “two pressing issues” in engaging with a more aggressive China: the structural imbalances between Brussels and Beijing that foster unfair competition and China’s backing of Russia amid the Ukraine conflict.
At the hearing, Kallas emphasized the rival nature of the EU–China relationship but omitted reference to the partnership aspect.
“I see actors such as Russia, China, North Korea, [and] Iran aiming to change the rules-based international order,” she told MEPs.
“I see China and Russia weaponizing interdependencies and exploiting the openness of our societies against us. We must be aware of what the threat is and respond accordingly, together with our closest allies and partners and without losing one inch of who we are.”
When later asked about the EU’s response to the collaboration between these authoritarian states, Kallas said, “We have to be very clear that it has consequences.
“China’s support for Russia, for example, we should signal to China that it has a higher cost for them.”