EU and US to Pledge Joint Motion Over China Considerations

BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Washington and the EU will pledge joint motion to sort out considerations centered on China about non-market practices and coordinate their export controls on semiconductors and different items at a gathering this month, a draft assertion confirmed.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, European Fee Vice-President Margrethe Vestager and different senior officers are attributable to meet for the fourth version of the EU-U.S. Commerce and Expertise Council (TTC) in Lulea, Sweden, on Might 30-31.

The draft assertion seen by Reuters mentioned the 2 sides would tackle non-market practices and financial coercion, and purpose to carry common talks on efforts to cease their firms’ data linked to outbound funding supporting applied sciences of strategic rivals – an indirect reference to China.

They may even coordinate on their export controls on “delicate gadgets” – together with items which have a army use – and semiconductors, mentioned the assertion, which solely mentions China twice and will nonetheless be modified earlier than the assembly.

Brussels says it considers China a accomplice in some fields, an financial competitor and a strategic rival. The European Union plans to recalibrate its China coverage, recognising coordination with a extra hawkish United States is important.

Highlighting the medical gadgets sector in China, the doc mentioned the transatlantic companions are “exploring potential actions” over the menace posed by non-market insurance policies and practices.

Additionally they purpose to cooperate on efforts to counter overseas manipulation of data, together with “China’s amplification of Russian disinformation narratives in regards to the struggle” in Ukraine.

The 2 sides additionally mentioned they have been dedicated to working with the G7 to coordinate motion to counteract acts of financial coercion, such because the commerce restrictions the EU says China has imposed on EU member Lithuania.

(Reporting by Philip Blenkinsop; Enhancing by Helen Popper)

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