EU plans dialogue with the US to deal with China’s ‘growing assertiveness’

EU foreign policy chief’s suggestion comes just days ahead of Monday’s EU-China summit, amid an ensuing lack of commitment by Beijing on widening market access

His proposal was a surprise to some, as his recent blog post seemed to suggest that the EU would not form a transatlantic alliance with the US on China

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European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell speaks during a media conference after a meeting of EU foreign ministers by videoconference at the European Council building in Brussels, Belgium on Monday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 1:21am, 16 Jun 2020Updated: 10:45pm, 16 Jun 2020

The European Union plans to set up a bilateral dialogue with the US to deal with China’s “growing assertiveness”, the bloc’s foreign policy chief said after a call with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday.

“I suggested to launch a distinct bilateral dialogue focusing on China and the challenges its actions and ambitions mean for us – the United States and the European Union,” EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell told reporters.

Borrell’s suggestion comes just days ahead of Monday’s EU-China summit, amid an ensuing lack of commitment by Beijing on widening market access and level playing field for European businesses in China.

While US President Donald Trump has employed a hostile approach to the EU, Pompeo has been regarded as more willing to engage Europe in creating a united front against China.

The US State Department did not respond to a request for comment on whether it had agreed to the proposal to set up a bilateral dialogue on China-related issues.

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