China’s Coronavirus Diplomacy Has Finally Pushed Europe Too Far
- EU is looking to diversify supply chains to cut China reliance
- 5G, strategic investments in focus after ‘offensive’ approach
This article is for subscribers only.
With a series of high-level summits culminating in a visit to Germany in the fall by President Xi Jinping, this was supposed to be the year of Europe-China diplomacy. Instead, Europeans are warning of a damaging rift.
Diplomats talk of mounting anger over China’s behavior during the coronavirus pandemic including claims of price gouging by Chinese suppliers of medical equipment and a blindness to how its actions are perceived. The upshot is that Beijing’s handling of the crisis has eroded trust just when it had a chance to demonstrate global leadership.