Taiwan warns EU that dependence on China threatens sovereignty

Taiwanese Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung has warned the European Union that reliance on Chinese suppliers poses a significant threat to European economic security, political freedom, and sovereignty. Speaking at the Warsaw Security Forum, Lin argued that China's authoritarian ideology is fundamentally incompatible with European democratic principles.

Lin compared Europe's current dependence on Chinese manufacturing to its previous vulnerability regarding Russian energy following the invasion of Ukraine. He cautioned against a “China Shock 2.0,” citing the influx of state-subsidized Chinese electric vehicles, batteries, solar panels, and steel into international markets as a method to undercut European industries and create dependency.

As an alternative, Lin proposed closer industrial cooperation between Taiwan and Europe, noting that both regions share values regarding human rights, the rule of law, and democratic freedoms. These warnings precede high-level meetings in Brussels where EU officials aim to address trade imbalances and reduce vulnerabilities in critical sectors. The European Commission has noted a significant goods trade deficit with China, highlighting the challenges posed by Beijing's industrial subsidies and trade practices.