Four years ago, Emmanuel Macron remarked that the era of European naivety on China was over. As Andrew Small establishes in his book The Rupture, the shift was not born primarily of US pressure to pick sides – though that was unquestionably felt – but of Europe’s own dealings with Beijing. Views have hardened further thanks to China’s increasing forcefulness in foreign policy, its handling of Covid and its support for Russia over Ukraine. Last month, the EU Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, urged a “de-risking” of relations with…
Tag: Germany
German foreign minister warns of ‘horror scenario’ in Taiwan strait
Germany’s foreign minister has described a military conflict in the Taiwan strait as a “horror scenario” that would directly affect her own country, striking a different tone to the French president, Emmanuel Macron, who recently faced criticism for saying Europe must not get involved in US disputes. After meeting the Chinese foreign minister, Qin Gang, in Bejing, Annalena Baerbock said a confrontation between China and Taiwan would send “shock waves” around the world. “A destabilisation would have consequences for all countries, the global economy and Germany, too,” said Baerbock, of…
Volkswagen Will Invest $193 Billion in Electric Cars and Software
Volkswagen said on Tuesday that it would spend $193 billion on software, battery factories and other investments as it aimed to make every fifth vehicle it sold electric by 2025. The automaker, the world’s second biggest after Toyota, will also focus on expanding its presence in North America, where it has struggled for years, and becoming more competitive in China, one of its most important markets, said Oliver Blume, Volkswagen’s chief executive. Mr. Blume laid out a 10-point plan for helping Volkswagen pivot to electric vehicles, a path it began…
Biden and Germany’s Scholz Meet Amid Concerns Over Ukraine and China
At times during their short but eventful alliance, Mr. Biden has appeared keen to let Mr. Scholz and other Western leaders take a public lead on decisions related to penalizing Russia or aiding Ukraine, a strategy designed to bolster the idea that Europe is acting in concert with — instead of at the direction of — the United States. At other times, neither leader has wanted to make the first move. In January, Mr. Biden and Mr. Scholz announced that they would supply battle tanks to Ukraine, ending weeks of you-go-first…
Germany warns China not to arm Russia as ministers meet at G20 in India
The German chancellor has warned China against arming Russia with weapons, as western foreign ministers repeatedly clashed with the Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, at an ill-tempered meeting of the G20 in New Delhi, India. Olaf Scholz told the German parliament: “My message to Beijing is clear: use your influence in Moscow to urge the withdrawal of Russian troops. And don’t deliver any weapons to the aggressor Russia.” China has repeatedly denied suggestions it might arm Moscow, but the US administration has recently said that cooperation between China and Russia…
UN marks one year of Ukraine war with vote as Germany and China clash over supply of weapons – video
The United Nations overwhelmingly isolated Russia by calling for a ‘comprehensive, just and lasting peace’, demanding Russia withdraw its troops from Ukraine and stop fighting. Marking one year since Moscow’s invasion, the resolution was adopted with 141 votes in favour and 32 abstentions. Six countries joined Russia to vote no: Belarus, North Korea, Eritrea, Mali, Nicaragua and Syria. China abstained from the vote – accusing the west of ‘adding fuel to the fire’ – a day after Beijing’s top diplomat visited Moscow and pledged a deeper partnership with Russia The Guardian
Germany and China clash over west’s supply of weapons to Ukraine
The German foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, clashed with Chinese diplomats on Thursday, passionately rejecting their claim that the west was adding fuel to the fire by arming Ukraine. Baerbock said it was time for China to tell Russia to stop its aggression. In a debate at the UN general assembly marking the anniversary of the invasion and seen as a key barometer of the state of world opinion, China intervened to present itself as above the conflict by proposing a catalogue of measures: a ceasefire, dialogue, security guarantees for Russia,…
China’s Leading Electric Carmaker Has Arrived in Germany
Germans take huge pride in their automotive industry, and have never been eager to abandon their Audis, BMWs or Mercedes-Benzes for foreign makes. But with a goal to change that, a Chinese automaker that sells the most electric cars in the world has begun offering three of its models in Germany. BYD, founded in 1995 under the name “Build Your Dreams,” has become a behemoth in China, the world’s largest auto market, by focusing on electric vehicles. Last year it sold a total of 1.86 million battery-powered cars, including plug-in…
Western Leaders Pledge Support for Ukraine at Munich Security Conference
MUNICH — Nearly one year into the brutal and costly war in Ukraine, Western leaders pledged to remain steadfast in their support for Kyiv amid worries about whether their unity can survive what France’s president called “a prolonged conflict.” As dozens of leaders convened in Germany, Ukraine’s president opened the annual Munich Security Conference with a warning against “fatigue” and emphasizing that speed is of the essence if his country is to hold off a renewed Russian onslaught. “We need to hurry up,” Mr. Zelensky implored the attendees. He compared…
Netherlands Considers Sending Patriot Missile System to Ukraine
WASHINGTON — Prime Minister Mark Rutte of the Netherlands said on Tuesday that his country was considering sending a Patriot missile system to Ukraine, a move that would bolster Kyiv’s air defenses and help repel Russian strikes. Mr. Rutte, seated next to President Biden in the Oval Office, said that a Russian attack on the city of Dnipro, which killed dozens of people in one residential building, had strengthened “our resolve to stay with Ukraine” amid deepening concerns over the Ukrainians’ ability to withstand another possible offensive by Moscow. “We…