In this podcast [24 min], Insightview has interviewed Jörg Wuttke, President of the EU Chamber of Commerce in China – an office he already held from 2007 to 2010 and from 2014 to 2017. Mr Wuttke is a member of the Advisory Board of the Mercator Institute for China Studies [MERICS] in Berlin. He has lived in Beijing for more than three decades.
The editor asks Mr Wuttke how increasing political tensions between China and the European Union have impacted the situation for European companies in China. [Read also the Bloomberg article, U.S. Firms Hurt at Local China Level Amid Tensions, AmCham Says.] The political situation deteriorated after Brussels imposed sanctions on Chinese officials involved in what the EU calls “Xinjiang human rights abuses”. [Read also the Reuters article, Denmark draws China ire for inviting Taiwan leader to speak at 'democracy summit'.]
In May, the situation deteriorated even more after theEU-China investment deal was put on hold after the EU's Economy Commissioner said that diplomatic tensions have made conditions for the deal "unfavourable." Later in 2021, tensions could gain more momentum if the Green Party were to gain victory in the Bundestag election, as the party is significantly more hostile towards China than Chancellor Merkel. Insightview asks Mr Wuttke what would be the consequences of such an outcome.
Music: Melodyloops, 'Technology Park' - MediaM
