China's silent coercion works precisely because Europe debates marginal adjustments whilst avoiding systemic responses. Beijing achieves policy paralysis without firing a shot—the threat of retaliation constrains European action more effectively than actual sanctions ever could.
Wessel van Rensburg
Big weeks in Brussels and EU capitals to see if the chilling effect of Chinese coercive threats will continue to hold sway over Europe’s trade and industrial agenda.
Beijing’s coercive leverage works best when it quietly constrains Europe’s policy space...
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Beijing no longer needs to actively deploy economic coercion to shape Europe’s economic agenda in its interest
