Expert Warns China Could Exploit EU Divisions, Targeting GermanyS SPD
GYEONGJU, SOUTH KOREA – As U.S. President Donald Trump prepares to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the APEC summit in Gyeongju on Thursday, a leading geopolitical analyst warns Beijing may attempt to exploit political fissures within the european Union, specifically targeting Germany’s Social Democratic Party (SPD). Michael Laha,Senior Research Fellow at the German Institute for International and Foreign Policy,suggests a potential Chinese strategy to drive wedges between EU member states,possibly weakening the bloc’s cohesion.
The warning comes amid cautious optimism regarding a potential thaw in U.S.-China relations and a possible resolution to the ongoing trade dispute. While a deal between Washington and Beijing would broadly benefit global economies, including Germany, Laha’s analysis highlights a parallel risk: China could leverage economic incentives and diplomatic pressure to advance it’s interests within Europe, particularly by appealing to factions within Germany’s ruling coalition. This could manifest as targeted investment or preferential trade terms designed to influence policy decisions.
Trump, during a five-day tour of Asia, recently stated, “I think we will make a good deal with China,” following discussions at the ASEAN summit in Malaysia. Chinese negotiators have echoed a cautiously optimistic tone. A resolution to the trade war would offer relief to Germany, a major exporting nation.
However, Laha’s expertise centers on Chinese foreign policy and its implications for transatlantic relations. He notes China’s increasing focus on cultivating relationships with individual EU nations, potentially bypassing the collective decision-making processes of the Union.His research indicates a particular vulnerability within the SPD, given the party’s historical emphasis on social partnership and its potential openness to Chinese investment.
Laha holds degrees from columbia University and Tufts University, specializing in East Asian languages, cultures, and political dynamics. He emphasizes that understanding China’s multifaceted approach – encompassing economic leverage, political engagement, and data operations – is crucial for safeguarding European unity and resilience.
Note: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that President Trump met with President Xi jinping at the ASEAN summit. This has been corrected.
