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The theatrics of the #EU- #China deal are crap, but they could never be otherwise for structural reasons. Europeans knew this, but decided to hold their noses & shake on the investment pact no less. That is more pragmatic than short-sighted 1/7 https://twitter.com/Mij_Europe/status/1346113521487122432
It also shows EU preference for cash/deals over principles. This isn't new. Look no further than the energy deals with #Russia, the migration pact/CU with #Turkey, cooperation agmts with a countries where human rights have been problematic ( #Egypt & #Azerbaijan come to mind) 2/7
Other than @Europarl_EN, most EU members & institutions will make some noise on matters like #Uighurs, forced labor, etc. in China & then look the other way while selling more cars, machinery, jets and luxury goods, not to mention services (and more of those thanks to CAI). 3/7
EU diplos biggest consideration was always how this would play out in Washington. It appears they calculated that relations with the @JoeBiden administration would recover from this last-minute deal. Makes sense, as @EmmanuelMacron is looking to follow Merkel as EU alpha dog. 4/7
The EU-China deal leaves much to be desired and addresses only *some* of many outstanding European gripes. That means Europe will still prioritize ties with the US to counter Beijing. It will have to toe DC's line a bit on certain issues to win goodwill it lost with CAI. 5/7
But with the deal, EU also signals to Biden that it's not only a bag carrier for the US, that it can also sit at the table & make deals to protect its interests. That's Macron's "Sovereign Europe" for you. Don't think EU is naïve to the challenges of implementation either. 6/7
The EU's (& Merkel's) operating principle has been a deal is better than no deal & this is worth having despite rights concerns. Indeed, that cannot be the work of a "geopolitical commission" but let's be honest, what in the last year has really been anything but pragmatic? 7/7
