But the market-access deal has opposition inside and outside the EU for various reasons, ranging from a global power struggle between the US and China, to Beijing’s despicable human rights records.
“By any measure it’s a setback. It validates China’s view that its economy is an irresistible force — despite Hong Kong, Xinjiang, Taiwan and India,” a former Obama administration officialThe former official refers to China’s anti-democratic measures in Hong Kong and its suppressive policies against Uyghur Muslims in the Xinjiang region, one of the largest provinces in the country. China also has various disagreements with Taiwan and India.
But the EU leadership wants to believe another story, that the investment deal included “such ambitious provisions” on labour rights from China, it made concessions for “the first time” to a trade partner, according toin 2019. The statement also drew attention to a crucial fact that “EU needs to find a balance of interests” with China.
According to the deal, “the EU won’t force China to sign up to the International Labour Organisation conventions on the use of forced labour,”