The Huawei Case and What It Reveals About Europe’s Trade Policy

Abstract:

In 2003, China was included among the European Union (EU)’s six strategic partners. However, it soon became clear that China is not only a partner, but also a serious economic competitor for the EU.

This article focuses on the Sino-European telecom conflict, which took place between 2010 and 2014, and in which the European Commission was cornered by China’s tactical use of economic diplomacy.

This case shows that the European Member States are unable to pull together and to create a unified policy towards China. The Chinese and their team of large national companies have been eager to exploit this European weakness. It seems that, certainly in this case, competition has triumphed over cooperation.