Tear down your barriers, EU says after summit with China's Xi

[webfact]

Tear down your barriers, EU says after summit with China's Xi

By Philip Blenkinsop and Robin Emmott

 

A government handout shows German Chancellor Angela Merkel during a video conference with European Council President Charles Michel, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and China's President Xi Jinping, at the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, September 14, 2020. Bundesregierung/Steffen Kugler/Handout via REUTERS

 

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European Union leaders told Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday to open up markets, respect minorities and step back from a crackdown in Hong Kong, also asserting that Europe would no longer be taken advantage of in trade.

 

Anxious to show that the EU will not take sides in a global standoff between China and the United States, German Chancellor Angela Merkel joined the bloc's chief executive and chairman to deliver a tough-talking message to Beijing.

 

"Europe is a player, not a playing field," European Council President Charles Michel, who chaired the video summit, told reporters in reference to a growing sense in Europe that China has not met its promises to engage in fair and free trade.

 

With more than a billion euros a day in bilateral trade, the EU is China's top trading partner, while China is second only to the United States as a market for EU goods and services.

 

China's Xi was not part of the post-summit news conference and there was no joint statement, but the state-owned Xinhua News Agency reported that Xi rejected any interference in Chinese affairs, particularly on human rights.

 

"Chinese people will not accept 'an instructor' on human rights and oppose 'double standards', Xinhua reported Xi as saying during the video summit.

 

"China is willing to strengthen exchanges with the European side based on the principle of mutual respect so that the two sides can both make progress."

 

The European Union accuses China of breaking a host of global trade rules, from overproduction of steel to stealing Western intellectual property, which Beijing denies.

 

European attitudes have also hardened towards Beijing because of the novel coronavirus, which many scientists believe originated in China, and because of a new security law on Hong Kong that the West says curtails basic rights.

 

EU PRESSURE

"We are really serious about having access to the Chinese market and tearing down the barriers," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said at the news conference.

 

Merkel said she and her two EU colleagues had pressed Xi to be clear about whether it really wanted an investment agreement that is being negotiated between the two and which would force China to open up its markets.

 

"We put on pressure ... to make progress on the investment agreement," Merkel told reporters from Berlin.

 

"Overall, cooperation with China must be based on certain principles - reciprocity, fair competition. We are different social systems, but while we are committed to multilateralism, it must be rules-based," she added.

 

The demand for a level playing field was justified today given China's economic transformation in the past 15 years, Merkel said.

 

The EU also wants stronger commitments on climate change from China, the world's top polluter.

 

The EU and China did sign a deal to protect each other's exported food and drinks items from feta cheese to Pixian bean paste.

 

While modest, the new deal is a trade coup for Europe as U.S., Australian or New Zealand producers will no longer be able to use the protected names on their exports to China, although there is a transition period for certain cheeses.

 

(Reporting by Philip Blenkinsop and Robin Emmott; Additional reporting by Paul Carrel, Michelle Adair and Thomas Escritt in Berlin, editing by Louise Heavens/Emelia Sithole-Matarise, Grant McCool and Jonathan Oatis)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-09-15

 

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[jesimps]

"China has not met its promises to engage in fair and free trade."

 

 

That's rich coming from the EUSSR.

[bodga]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

mutual respect

its  the way he  tells  em

[JonnyF]

The EU encouraging others to open up markets? That's rich coming the protectionist racket that is the EU. Their reison d'être IS the single market.????

 

Also interesting that they can do a billion Euros a day trade with China without a trade deal. Yet they expect the UK to hand over sovereignty and fishing waters for a substandard FTA to buy their goods.

 

Also accusing China of breaking global trade rules when their own states cannot even follow EU treaties and the EU themselves break their own rules on state aid when it comes to bailing out failing Italian banks and Airbus.????

 

 

The EU, the hub of hypocrisy. 

[Proboscis]

2 hours ago, jesimps said:

"China has not met its promises to engage in fair and free trade."

 

 

That's rich coming from the EUSSR.

What does EUSSR mean?

[Morch]

29 minutes ago, Proboscis said:

What does EUSSR mean?

 

https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=EUSSR

[welovesundaysatspace]

With the US having become a broken banana republic, and little England pursuing the same path, it’s the EU who has to stand up against the likes of China and Russia. “As one senior official puts it: “One thing that Moscow, Beijing and Washington have in common is that they would all like to divide Europe.” (https://www.ft.com/content/e9b7b193-47d4-4887-abe1-2c12f344922a) 

 

[trucking]

22 hours ago, webfact said:

while China is second only to the United States as a market for EU goods and services.

 

Worth noticing. So even if the UK is no longer in the european union , it does not mean a 100 foot wall will be erected along the middle of the English channel out into the north sea and that absolutely no trade will get over it.

 

To read some of the newspapers you would think that that is going to be the case.

 

As for China , just stop buying their stuff until they play ball.

[Chiphigh]

15 minutes ago, welovesundaysatspace said:

With the US having become a broken banana republic, and little England pursuing the same path, it’s the EU who has to stand up against the likes of China and Russia. “As one senior official puts it: “One thing that Moscow, Beijing and Washington have in common is that they would all like to divide Europe.” (https://www.ft.com/content/e9b7b193-47d4-4887-abe1-2c12f344922a) 

 

This is a really bizarre twist on reality and logic. 

[Poet]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

Tear down your barriers, EU says after summit with China's Xi

Have that odd looking fat man in the white jacket killed, Xi says after summit with EU

[Poet]

1 hour ago, welovesundaysatspace said:

it’s the EU who has to stand up against the likes of China

The EU never did anything about China, not even after Tiananmen. The only reason they are saying anything now is because the US made it an issue, but they are not actually threatening to do anything.
 

 

1 hour ago, welovesundaysatspace said:

One thing that Moscow, Beijing and Washington have in common is that they would all like to divide Europe.”

After World War II, the US kickstarted the reconstruction of Europe with the Marshall Plan, pumping $12 billion into Europe ($129 billion in today's money) and saving the continent from decades of economic depression.

Since 1949 they have spent billions every year on NATO, the whole purpose of which was to hold Western Europe together and protect it from a massive hostile neighbor.

The US was also the main supporter and sponsor of the progenitors of today's EU.

It shocks me that people have such wild views based purely on whatever opinions are currently fashionable (this year all the cool kids hate America) but so little awareness of how their own societies came into being and who helped them to get there.

 

Edited September 15, 2020 by Poet

[welovesundaysatspace]

2 minutes ago, Poet said:

The EU never did anything about China, not even after Tiananmen.

This reminds me of Trump supporters asking why Obama wasn’t seen in office when 9/11 happened. 

[Poet]

2 minutes ago, welovesundaysatspace said:

10 minutes ago, Poet said:

The EU never did anything about China, not even after Tiananmen.

This reminds me of Trump supporters asking why Obama wasn’t seen in office when 9/11 happened.

Something that absolutely no one here has said.

How about, instead of trying to distract from it, we think about why you made a post containing several claims that are not only untrue, but the exact opposite of reality.

Are you suggesting that the EU actually took some sort of action against China in the wake of Tiananmen? Because that's the implication right? I'm some sort of Trump supporter saying nasty things about Obama?

Which would be great, right, because suddenly it wouldn't matter that I'm pointing out how wildly wrong your claims are because I would now be a RAAAAACIST!!!! A big, evil, possibly orange-skinned racist!

*Sigh* When did it become acceptable for people to abandon all intellectual integrity when discussing politics?

 

[candide]

17 minutes ago, Poet said:

The EU never did anything about China, not even after Tiananmen. The only reason they are saying anything now is because the US made it an issue, but they are not actually threatening to do anything.
 

 

After World War II, the US kickstarted the reconstruction of Europe with the Marshall Plan, pumping $12 billion into Europe ($129 billion in today's money) and saving the continent from decades of economic depression.

Since 1949 they have spent billions every year on NATO, the whole purpose of which was to hold Western Europe together and protect it from a massive hostile neighbor.

The US was also the main supporter and sponsor of the progenitors of today's EU.

It shocks me that people have such wild views based purely on whatever opinions are currently fashionable (this year all the cool kids hate America) but so little awareness of how their own societies came into being and who helped them to get there.

 

What you claim in the first paragraph is not true (both sentences).

What you state after that is true. However, the current US administration is not particularly pro-EU.

[ThomasThBKK]

7 minutes ago, Poet said:

Something that absolutely no one here has said.

How about, instead of trying to distract from it, we think about why you made a post containing several claims that are not only untrue, but the exact opposite of reality.

Are you suggesting that the EU actually took some sort of action against China in the wake of Tiananmen? Because that's the implication right? I'm some sort of Trump supporter saying nasty things about Obama?

Which would be great, right, because suddenly it wouldn't matter that I'm pointing out how wildly wrong your claims are because I would now be a RAAAAACIST!!!! A big, evil, possibly orange-skinned racist!

*Sigh* When did it become acceptable for people to abandon all intellectual integrity when discussing politics?

 

 

Quote

 United States

The United States Congress and media criticized the military action. President George H. W. Bush suspended military sales and visits to that country. Large scale protests against the Chinese government took place around the country.^[38] George Washington University revealed that, through high-level secret channels on 30 June 1989, the US government conveyed to the government of the People's Republic of China that the events around the Tiananmen Square protests were an "internal affair

 

So the US did <deleted> all and said it's an internal affair.

 

Quote

Europe

The European Economic Community condemned the government response and cancelled all high level contacts and loans. They planned a resolution at the UNHCR criticising China's human rights record.^[32][33] The EU maintains an arms embargo against China to this day.

 

EU cancelled all loans and contacts.

 

src: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reactions_to_the_1989_Tiananmen_Square_protests

 

 

Like rammstein said, the american propaganda is really working great

 

 

[ThomasThBKK]

6 hours ago, JonnyF said:

The EU encouraging others to open up markets? That's rich coming the protectionist racket that is the EU. Their reison d'être IS the single market.????

 

Also interesting that they can do a billion Euros a day trade with China without a trade deal. Yet they expect the UK to hand over sovereignty and fishing waters for a substandard FTA to buy their goods.

 

Also accusing China of breaking global trade rules when their own states cannot even follow EU treaties and the EU themselves break their own rules on state aid when it comes to bailing out failing Italian banks and Airbus.????

 

 

The EU, the hub of hypocrisy. 

https://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2010/september/tradoc_146484.pdf

 

 

So does the US with Boing... but that doesn't matter, because it doesn't fit your narratives.

[Nout]

4 hours ago, Proboscis said:

What does EUSSR mean?

Guess

[Poet]

Just now, candide said:

What you claim in the first paragraph is not true (both sentences).

Okay. What action did they take in 1989, and what actions are they threatening to take now?

Or are they yet again just mouthing concern for the sake of appearances before launching enthusiastically into talks to increase trade with China?
 

 

5 minutes ago, candide said:

What you state after that is true. However, the current US administration is not particularly pro-EU.

I think it is just bluster, claiming a tough position to get a better deal later, as he did with the NATO negotiations.

The actual State Department priorities remain identical, and will be the same under Biden.
 

[Poet]

6 minutes ago, ThomasThBKK said:

So does the US with Boing... but that doesn't matter, because it doesn't fit your narratives.

He is saying that the EU is hypocritical because they urge others to open their markets but are, themselves, highly protectionist. Anyone who has the misfortunate to have to buy things in the EU is already well aware of this.

His "narrative" does not mention the US at all. That the US might be also protectionist in no way invalidates his observation about the EU.

 

Edited September 15, 2020 by Poet

[DrTuner]

First demand should be turning off the Great Firewall. After that, CCP would eventually be toppled by the Chinese themselves, after they see what the world thinks of them.

 

Otherwise, wall the commies in and throw long knives over the wall. Check again in 200 years.

[candide]

5 minutes ago, Poet said:

Okay. What action did they take in 1989, and what actions are they threatening to take now?

Before making inaccurate statements, it's worth spending 5 minutes on Google search.....

They decided an embargo on arms.

Over the years, there have been several complaints made to the WTO, special tariffs imposed, some cases are still ongoing (transfer of technology, for example).

[Poet]

13 minutes ago, ThomasThBKK said:

So the US did <deleted> all and said it's an internal affair.

Sure, that was under a neocon government whose priority was globalism.

The trade threats by the current adminstration are too little, too late, but at least they are something. Many on the left who are concerned about human rights in China and Hong Kong credit Trump with at least finally making it possible to discuss these issues at the highest levels. I'm sure Trump doesn't give a damn about the Uighurs, but there are some side benefits to his approach.
 

 

15 minutes ago, ThomasThBKK said:

EU cancelled all loans and contacts.

Ah, okay. I did not know that. I was wrong but am glad they did something.
 

[DrTuner]

1 hour ago, welovesundaysatspace said:

With the US having become a broken banana republic, and little England pursuing the same path, it’s the EU who has to stand up against the likes of China and Russia. “As one senior official puts it: “One thing that Moscow, Beijing and Washington have in common is that they would all like to divide Europe.” (https://www.ft.com/content/e9b7b193-47d4-4887-abe1-2c12f344922a) 

Unfortunately the EU leaders seem to have lost their cojones after WW2.

[Poet]

1 minute ago, candide said:

Before making inaccurate statements, it's worth spending 5 minutes on Google search.....

They decided an embargo on arms.

Over the years, there have been several complaints made to the WTO, special tariffs imposed, some cases are still ongoing (transfer of technology, for example).

Yeah, I was wrong on that. My presumption about 1989 was based on their meekness in recent years, and I didn't remember hearing about those actions at the time.
 

[ThomasThBKK]

15 minutes ago, Poet said:

He is saying that the EU is hypocritical because they urge others to open their markets but are, themselves, highly protectionist. Anyone who has the misfortunate to have to buy things in the EU is already well aware of this.

His "narrative" does not mention the US at all. That the US might be also protectionist in no way invalidates his observation about the EU.

 

 

That's absolute rubbish. Everyone can open a company in europe or the USA and participate, unlike in ASIA.

What stops a thai or chinese company to operate in europe? Yeah right, absolutely nothing. 

 

On the other hand this is what happens if a EU/US company tries to do it in China: https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3088817/uk-chip-firm-arm-wrestles-control-chinese-joint-venture-amid-public

 

And that happens ALL THE TIME. 

 

[RichardColeman]

How about just asking them to pay trillions for completely destroying the worlds economies first ? Can't or wont pay, then stop Chinese goods and make them all nearer to home. Prices might go up but this Chinese nation needs to learn a hard lesson on the next few decades

[candide]

6 hours ago, JonnyF said:

The EU encouraging others to open up markets? That's rich coming the protectionist racket that is the EU. Their reison d'être IS the single market.????

 

Also interesting that they can do a billion Euros a day trade with China without a trade deal. Yet they expect the UK to hand over sovereignty and fishing waters for a substandard FTA to buy their goods.

 

Also accusing China of breaking global trade rules when their own states cannot even follow EU treaties and the EU themselves break their own rules on state aid when it comes to bailing out failing Italian banks and Airbus.????

 

 

The EU, the hub of hypocrisy. 

The usual Brexiters' fake claim. The level of EU protectionism is currently similar to that of other developped countries. (Plus plenty of FTAs and similar agreements already signed or under negotiation.)

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-44291103

Edited September 15, 2020 by candide

[Poet]

10 minutes ago, ThomasThBKK said:

That's absolute rubbish. Everyone can open a company in europe or the USA and participate, unlike in ASIA.

What stops a thai or chinese company to operate in europe? Yeah right, absolutely nothing. 

The ability to open a company in Europe has absolutely no relevance to EU protectionism.

If an Australian or New Zealand winery were to open an office in Berlin, it would not allow them to sell wine to Europeans without having to add the massive tariffs designed to protect the less efficient French winerys.

 

[PatOngo]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

"Chinese people will not accept 'an instructor' on human rights and oppose 'double standards', Xinhua reported Xi as saying during the video summit.

And there you have it! The Emperor has spoken!...........Obviously oblivious as to what 'Double Standards' means!

[ThomasThBKK]

34 minutes ago, Poet said:

The ability to open a company in Europe has absolutely no relevance to EU protectionism.

If an Australian or New Zealand winery were to open an office in Berlin, it would not allow them to sell wine to Europeans without having to add the massive tariffs designed to protect the less efficient French winerys.

 

Rubbish like everything from you. 

 

Try to import wine into asian <deleted>holes like china and thailand.

 

EU import duty on WINE and alcohol in general is more than fair, that's why it's literally the cheapest place to buy alcohol. 

Quote

Germany discourages alcohol consumption through taxation of consumption. Nevertheless, Germany does not discourage wine consumption very strongly. Consumption of still wine is even exempt from excise duties. However, sparkling wine-based drinks with an alcohol percentage below 6% are subject to an excise duty of €51/hl and sparkling wines with an alcohol percentage above 6% are subject to an excise duty of €136/hl. Sparkling wine is considered to be a luxury good and is therefore taxed more.

 

There's no import duty on still wine at all enforced by the EU.

 

 

 

God you are literally writing only fake made up stuff, must be living in your brexit fantasy land... 

 

 

https://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/business/excise-duties-alcohol-tobacco-energy/excise-duties-alcohol_en

 

Quote

Wine (still and sparkling)

Hectolitre of product

EUR 0