Former Diplomat Cui Hongjian Warns EU Misreads China's Trade Concessions
Cui Hongjian, a former Chinese diplomat with experience in India and Jamaica, has criticized Brussels for assuming that China will yield to trade pressures. He referenced last year's tariff conflict with the U.S. as evidence of China's resilience. Now serving as the director at the Centre for EU and Regional Development Studies in Beijing, Cui acknowledged the EU's optimism following a recent agreement on hybrid vehicles. He emphasized that China is willing to engage in discussions about electric vehicle export restrictions primarily to safeguard crucial economic relations, warning that additional tensions could have negative repercussions for the EU.
Key facts
- Cui Hongjian called the EU's belief that China is yielding to trade pressure a "serious misjudgment"
- Cui served as a Chinese diplomat in India and Jamaica during the 2000s
- He now directs the Centre for EU and Regional Development Studies at Beijing Foreign Studies University
- Brussels was described as emboldened by a recent hybrid car deal
- Cui said last year's tariff war with the United States showed China will not back down from confrontation
- China's willingness to reach agreements with the EU covers electric vehicle export restrictions and other issues
- Cui said China acts to safeguard its vast bilateral economic ties with Europe, not out of fear
- He warned that further provocations could backfire on the EU
Entities
Artists
- Cui Hongjian
Institutions
- European Union
- Centre for EU and Regional Development Studies
- Beijing Foreign Studies University
- South China Morning Post
Locations
- Brussels
- Belgium
- China
- Beijing
- United States
- India
- Jamaica
- Europe