Europe is being visited this week by a large delegation from China. Wang Yi, the Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs, is making a tour of several European countries in an attempt to achieve more economic cooperation.
This week the Chinese delegation is also visiting the Netherlands, where particular attention will be given to the resumption of Dutch pork exports to China.
The Chinese want to discuss a number of sensitive topics, especially in the area of strategic global trade. Beijing wants to try to prevent the EU from collaborating more closely with the United States, as this could jeopardize Chinese exports. Beijing does not want to become the third wheel globally.
Promotion
China has realized that the new European Commission has become more critical and self-confident, intending to pursue its own European industrial and trade policy. China has become more dependent on Europe, and the EU has been the largest market for Chinese products for fifteen years.
Moreover, the United States also wants to chart its own course, but in recent years President Trump has completely let his 'good trade relations with the Chinese' get out of hand. In Washington, there are increasing calls to cooperate more closely with the Europeans, to the great displeasure of Beijing.
The Dutch meat processor Westfort is the first Dutch slaughterhouse allowed to export again since this week. The Product Board for Pig Husbandry (POV) was the first to report that a Chinese delegation was coming to the Netherlands. The suspensions of the Dutch slaughterhouses are on the agenda for this visit.
At the end of June, China refused exports from four Dutch slaughterhouses, namely Van Rooi, Westfort, and two slaughterhouses of Vion. The country was concerned about the high number of corona infections among Van Rooi and Vion staff and food safety at the locations.