Ursula von der Leyen’s Departure from the EU: How Will China Respond to the EU’s Tariff Hike?

Recently, Ursula von der Leyen was re-elected as President of the European Commission, ensuring her leadership for the next five years. Von der Leyen, who first took office in 2019 as the first woman to hold this position, continues to break historical barriers. Her re-election signifies internal approval of her policies and the EU’s intent to remain influential on the global stage, particularly in managing the Russia-Ukraine conflict, transatlantic relations with the U.S., and complex economic interactions with China. Despite widespread support from most EU member states, her re-election faced strong opposition, notably from Hungary. The Hungarian Foreign Minister declared Hungary’s non-support for her, criticizing her previous term’s handling of crises. This opposition highlights the internal divisions within the European Commission, with countries like France, Germany, and Italy clashing on various issues. Moreover, the EU’s declining economic growth adds to the calls for a change in leadership. Currently, Hungary holds the rotating EU presidency and plans a diplomatic summit in Budapest. However, von der Leyen announced her absence from EU Council meetings hosted by Hungary, protesting Prime Minister Orbán’s unilateral approach to Ukraine. Orbán’s planned visits to China, the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine have further strained relations, with fears of Kremlin propaganda exploitation. From a European perspective, Hungary’s stance may irritate the U.S., but it plays a crucial role within the EU. The Hungarian Foreign Minister also opposed increased EU tariffs on Chinese goods, a policy driven by von der Leyen. The re-elected President faces the challenge of balancing EU’s internal market protection with maintaining healthy trade relations with China. #EuropeanCommission #UrsulaVonDerLeyen #EULeadership #RussiaUkraineConflict #TransatlanticRelations