EU Must Accelerate 'De-Risking' From China, Says Ursula von der Leyen | APT

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, reported on an EU call covering Ukraine, the Middle East, trade with China, and the EU budget. On Ukraine, she noted the opening of the first cluster of accession talks and the rollover of Russian sanctions for 12 months, with work ongoing on a 21st sanctions package. On the Middle East, she called the US-Iran interim agreement a breakthrough and stressed the need for alternative trade routes like IMEC. She highlighted that EU imports from China rose 45% over five years and the EU's largest-ever trade deficit with China reached 360 billion euros, urging accelerated de-risking, not decoupling, and new tools like a diversification instrument. On the budget, she welcomed the Council's agreement on the MFF architecture and a negotiating box with figures, emphasizing the need for new own resources. She praised Cyprus's presidency for achievements including air passenger rights reform.

Key takeaways

1. EU will roll over Russian sanctions for 12 months, not 6, and is finalizing a 21st sanctions package.
2. EU imports from China rose 45% in five years; trade deficit hit 360 billion euros, one billion per day.
3. EU is accelerating de-risking from China, not decoupling, and will develop a diversification instrument.
4. Council agreed on new MFF architecture and a negotiating box with figures for the first time.

Numbers and commitments

Chapters

1. 0:00Ukraine: accession and sanctions
2. 0:56Middle East: US-Iran deal and IMEC
3. 1:53Lebanon and Hezbollah disarmament
4. 2:20China trade deficit and de-risking
5. 4:46EU budget and MFF architecture
6. 6:15Praise for Cyprus presidency