‘Difficult to predict’: German ambassador on China’s bid for market economy status with EU

Divisions among member states at home mean it is hard to predict whether the European Union will grant China market economy status, according to the German ambassador to China Michael Clauss.

Getting the approval of most members in the Council of the EU would not be enough to secure the status, Clauss warned, as the vote would be decided on a qualified majority basis.

Sixteen countries would need to give their assent and these countries must represent at least 65 per cent of the total EU population – meaning the vote of bigger countries such as Germany carry a disproportionate weight.

Even then there are some circumstances, depending on exactly which countries vote for and against, that could see China’s bid turned down.

The European Commission is expected to discuss the proposal in February or March, and Chinese economists say the increasing business and investment presence of China on the continent has improved Beijing’s bargaining position.

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“The European Commission has postponed its proposal on whether to grant [the status] several times. It may now be presented in February or March,” Clauss told the South China Morning Post.