EU will not follow US’ China policy, top diplomat says in fiery debate with lawmakers

The European Union will not follow the United States’ toughest policies on China, its top diplomat insisted during a bruising debate on Tuesday in which he clashed with lawmakers calling for a more aggressive approach to Beijing.

EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell distanced the bloc from the US’ broad push to ban the export of high-end chips, which is seen as an attempt to cripple China’s hi-tech sector and has caused consternation among the EU’s own semiconductor makers.

“Certainly, the United States are our most important ally, but, in some cases, we will not be in the same position or on the same approach towards China,” Borrell said, adding that the US’ “drastic reduction of China’s access” to technology is a “decision that has to be taken into account”.

His remarks echoed those of Dutch officials, who have pushed back against American efforts to build a common front blocking China’s access to semiconductors. Dutch company ASML is one of Europe’s few global players in the semiconductor manufacturing space.

While Brussels will “be engaged in a systemic rivalry” with China, Borrell’s tone reflected a relative thawing in ties following a series of meetings between EU national political leaders and Xi Jinping, China’s president.