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EU to unveil technologies targeted in China ‘de-risking’ agenda, but plan remains divisive within bloc
- Brussels to reveal which critical technologies will be at heart of strategy to reduce reliance on China and stop tech flow to Beijing
- But plan has sparked controversy in the European Union, where it has sown discord between member states and pitted industries against each other
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Finbarr Berminghamin Brussels
The European Commission will reveal which critical technologies it is targeting in “de-risking” ties with China on Tuesday as it looks to refine the parameters of its economic security strategy.
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Brussels’ powerful trade department is also expected to explain how it will assess the economic dependencies of the European Union’s 27 member states on China amid political pressure to advance the plan before Europe sinks into full-blown election season, EU sources said.
The ultimate goal is to reduce the union’s reliance on China for key imports, but also to stem the flow of key technologies to Beijing over fears they could be used to bolster the People’s Liberation Army. These are expected to include some areas of microelectronics, quantum computing, robotics, artificial intelligence and biotech.
But the plan is unlikely to unfold without drama as de-risking remains hugely divisive across Europe. It has pitted different business groups against each other, sown discord between EU institutions, and caused ructions between and within member state governments.
On Thursday, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz set out his opposition to an EU investigation into alleged subsidies for China’s electric vehicle sector, which is being conducted following informal requests from the French government and industry.
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