A Europe-China Tariff Axis Would Be a Dead End

Europe and China have good reason to make common cause on US President Donald Trump’s tariffs. To hear Chinese Premier Li Qiang tell it, the two are already comrades in defending the global trading system. China and the European Union are strong advocates of economic globalization and should work together to enhance communication, expand mutual openness and safeguard free trade, Li told European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in a phone call Tuesday, according to state media. Some tactical cooperation makes sense for both sides — just don’t expect any grand bargain.

The Xinhua news agency account didn’t include any mention of Ukraine. But the EU’s readout did. Von der Leyen “reaffirmed the EU's steadfast support for a just and lasting peace” in the three-year-old war and emphasized that any conditions for peace “must be determined by Ukraine.” She invited China to intensify its efforts to “contribute meaningfully” to the peace process, according to the statement.