The EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, speaks to the media at an EU summit in the European Council building in Brussels, Belgium, on October 23, 2025. AP/Harry Nakos
The EU’s High Representative, Kaja Kallas, emphasized that the EU has limited leverage over China due to its close economic ties with Russia. She said this during a Bloomberg interview, stressing the importance of understanding the interdependence between countries and their supply chains.
According to her, China can harm the EU, and that is why influencing China is more difficult. If the EU is not prepared to pay the price that China is set to demand, actions become less effective and riskier.
“China can also harm you, and that is the problem. If you are not prepared to pay the price they are going to impose on you, then it’s hard to act”
– Kaja Kallas
Context and implications for the EU’s non-sanctions policy
Kallas noted that unexpected support for Russia from China in the matter of evading EU sanctions could lead to a much more troubling situation. She stressed that stopping such support would be a crucial factor in reducing tensions in the region.
According to the EU’s head, a complete ban on trade with China under current conditions is not feasible due to control over European supply chains and the need to preserve exports that are critically important for many member states.
China can also influence the operations of European tech players through sudden restrictions on rare earth metals supply and a requirement for foreign companies to obtain import licenses from the Chinese government, which adds market uncertainty.
Equally significant is the fact that some manufacturers in Europe have faced chip shortages after the Chinese factory Nexperia refused to supply components to the EU. Nexperia is a subsidiary of a Dutch company of the same name that operates under the jurisdiction of the PRC.
“China has deftly managed to grow its geopolitical influence”
– Kaja Kallas
The EU’s High Representative called on the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, Japan, and other countries to join the pressure on China. She noted that concerted efforts are critically important to increase the EU’s weight on the world stage.
According to Kallas, coordinated actions with allies are the key to strengthening the EU’s positions in the competition for influence in the global economy and in countering China’s growing geopolitical influence.