Name? Josep Borrell
Westphalian identity? Spanish
Age? 73
Why is he in the news? Last week’s meeting between the USA and China did not go so well…Right after, the USA and its partners imposed sanctions on China over the situation of the Uighurs in the Chinese region Xinjiang. This is where Borrell comes in because for the first time in over 30 years, the EU imposed sanctions on China.
Why do we care? The gloves are off. Until now, the EU considered protecting economic relations with China as more important than human rights protection. With the sanctioning of high ranking Chinese party officials, the EU has lost its status as China’s darling. Not only did China respond with sanctions itself, but the state-sponsored media outlet Global Times started its anti-EU rhetoric machine.
Why should you care? What a fresh breeze from the Biden Administration with the fulfilment of Borrell’s promise that the EU will speak with one voice on foreign policy matters. How long will the single EU states be willing to put their economic well being on the line for this? Solely for the answer to this question, you should care 6/10.
Who else cares? Scott Morrison. The Prime Minister of Australia already has a good impression of what a conflict with China can lead to. Every time Australia asked for an investigation into Covid19 in China, mentioned the Uighurs, or warned about the situation in Hongkong; basically, any time Australia did anything against China’s liking, Xi hit back with sanctions against Australian products (keeping in mind one-third of its exports are going to China).
Any further comments? If you want to have a real-time update on what China feels about different international actors we really recommend you have a glance at the Global Times. Where else can you read about an infamous anti-China pseudo-researcher and why he has been sanctioned.
