China is “turning its attention” to the EU after making progress on a trade deal with the US but Europe “hasn’t made up its mind about how to respond”, journalist and visiting fellow at the Mercator Institute for China Studies Noah Barkin warned. Writing for Politico, he outlined factors likely to influence the relationship between Brussels and Beijing this year.
Mr Berkin described how US President Donald Trump could “zero in” on Europe after striking the first phase of a trade deal with China.
But pressure from Washington could force the EU to take a “more conciliatory stance” with China.
Mr Barkin said: “For the past year, amid the ups and downs of the US-China trade conflict, European leaders have been worried about one thing: that Trump would strike a cosmetic deal with Beijing and then zero in on Europe.
“Now, Europe’s nightmare scenario could become a reality.
“In December, US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer spoke openly about the ‘very unbalanced’ trade relationship with Europe, signalling that this will be Washington’s focus in 2020.
“If Trump follows through on his threat of car tariffs, it could trigger a tit-for-tat downward spiral in the transatlantic relationship that pushes Europe toward a more conciliatory stance with China.”
Mr Barkin warned that questions over Huawei’s role in Europe’s 5G rollout, fears over human rights abuses, the US election and the new European Commission are also factors that could affect the relationship between the EU and China.
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“The ceremony will take place at the White House. High level representatives of China will be present.
“At a later date I will be going to Beijing where talks will begin on Phase Two!”
Meanwhile, the US has insisted it is not seeking to “buy” the NHS in a post-Brexit trade deal with the UK.
It follows claims by Labour in last month’s general election that the NHS would be a key part of negotiations under a government led by Boris Johnson.
Asked if America wanted to buy the NHS, US ambassador to the UK Woody Johnson told LBC: “No, no, and double no.
“The president said if you gave it to him on a silver platter he wouldn’t take it.
“We have got our own issues dealing with health care.
“It’s a major, major issue.
“The president wants to concentrate on his health issues that he has, the national health issues. You have Obama care and converting it into something that gives people choices.
“You can solve the NHS issues. And I think the Prime Minister has been very clear that he wants to emphasis improving health care and efficiency. And more hospitals and more nurses, which is great.”