Protect Europe from China without breaking up. Cooperate, but without breaking your guard. This is a difficult balance that the EU has against other powers, especially China. The country was not mentioned in a communication the European Commission approved on Wednesday to identify critical technologies it wants to protect from the clutches of the Asian giant, but the decision is part of a process the EU has begun 1.In search of an autonomous relationship with China which allows you to coexist and compete while minimizing risks and reducing dependencies.
Brussels has identified four particularly sensitive technological areas that the 27 will have to analyze and establish specific measures to protect them, which could end up restricting their sale to third countries. These are semiconductors (microelectronics, high-frequency chips…), artificial intelligence (language processing, object recognition, data analysis, etc.), quantum technology (computing, cryptography…) and biotechnology (technique genetic modification, new genome). techniques, directed genetics and synthetic biology).
“Europe is adapting to new geopolitical realities, ending the era of naivety and acting as a true geopolitical actor,” Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton said on social media. An example is the “Chip Law” whereby the EU mobilized capital to produce 20% of the world’s chips. The idea was to gain autonomy in this area against China and Russia.
It is the first step in the European Economic Security Strategy, which the European Commission presented last June, three months after President Ursula von der Leyen laid out the rules of the game she wants to shape relations with China. In this regard, for example, he announced an EU investigation into Chinese subsidies for electric cars, which have a strong impact on the European market. It was France’s demand that caused suspicion in Germany. And how to connect to Beijing divides 27.
On what basis did the European Commission define these technologies as crucial? In the potential of being able to transform reality, in the risk posed to security (that they can be used for military purposes) or in the risk that they are used to violate human rights. A very practical example is robotics: it can be used to build drones that end up on the battlefield.
And what will happen now with these four technological areas? The European Commission intends for the EU to impose a series of special safeguards against these technologies, which could be, for example, export controls or safeguards. i know how When it is European, but community sources claim that it could be decisions related to their promotion and association to promote them.
However, Brussels believes that there are six other areas that should be considered, although they do not fall under the category of “unavoidable risk”. It is about advanced connectivity, navigation and digital technologies; Advanced space sensing and propulsion technologies, including hypersonics; energy, including nuclear fusion; robotics; Advanced materials, manufacturing and processing technology, according to Bloomberg.
Public sources claim that every major nation, such as the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom or Australia, has a similar list of critical technologies. But where they have long looked with the greatest concern in Brussels is China. During his most recent visit to the country in late September, European Commission Economic Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis urged the Chinese government on the need for a “more balanced” trade relationship. And the EU’s trade deficit with China is almost 400 billion euros.
Source: El Diario
