Europeans described President Donald Trump’s “extraterritorial sanctions” against Iran as “arbitrary and a violation of international law”, according to the Handelsblatt. And yet “the European Commission is now preparing a spectacular policy change”, Brussels diplomats confirm in the financial newspaper. “In the eleventh package of sanctions against Russia, which EU states are debating this week, the Commission wants to create the legal basis for punitive measures against countries that resell sensitive European products to Russia,” explains HB.

“Economic sanctions do not directly target Russia, but the country’s trade with friendly neighboring countries.” So “for the first time since the start of the war in Ukraine, Brussels they want to take action against Chinese companies who are suspected of supporting the Kremlin’s war machine with technology supplies,” comments Handelsblatt. In particular, these are eight companies against which, according to EU diplomats, “there is very strong evidence”.

“These include electronics suppliers such as 3HC Semiconductors and King-Pai Technology.” The list also includes companies from Syria and Iran. “The already strained relations between the EU and China due to the war in Ukraine are likely to be charged extra”analyzes the economic newspaper.

China warns and threatens retaliation

“After arms deliveries to Ukraine and de-dependence on Russian energy, another taboo from the dying liberal era is gradually disappearing,” comments the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung the extraterritorial sanctions package. “Especially in the case of China, the imposition of sanctions unlikely to happen without commercial or even political damage,” writes the Frankfurt newspaper.

“The Beijing government has already publicly warned the Europeans about this step and threatened counter-sanctions,” FAZ points out. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman warned on Monday that the EU’s planned move would “undermine mutual trust and cooperation with China and deepen division and confrontation in the world”. China calls on the EU “not to follow this wrong path”.

Beijing’s diplomatic counterattack

One indication of the “confrontation” is the rescinding of an invitation to Beijing for German Finance Minister Christian Lindners, who was due to meet Chinese Finance Minister Liu Kun on Wednesday. FAZ speculates that “Lidner, in his capacity as FDP chairman, will face China’s revenge over Education Minister Stark-Wächinger’s visit (also member of the Liberal FDP) in Taiwan.”

“This is a diplomatically hostile act from Beijing, which has had difficulties with the FDP and its beliefs for years,” the newspaper comments. “It is now the duty of Foreign Minister Analena Burbock to address this insult directly.”

“The revocation of Lindner’s invitation is certainly not a reason for a major crisis in German-Chinese relations,” concludes FAZ. “But there should be a sign that Germany is making sovereign decisions – and regarding Taiwan.”

Diplomatic episode with Israel as well

An additional “diplomatic scandal” is developing at the same time in Israel, as commented by Süddeutsche Zeitung. “The EU Delegation in Israel canceled a celebratory Europe Day reception because it did not wish to have Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir as a guest and speaker. This is not diplomatic. But it’s honest and right,” comments the Munich newspaper.

“There are many good reasons for the EU not to associate with a man like Ben-Gvir, starting with his previous conviction for supporting a terrorist organization and continuing with his entire political life, which has been characterized by hatred and hate speech towards the Palestinians ”, explains SZ. “The EU should not offer a step to such a right-wing extremist.”

“However, the fact that the abrupt rejection led to a scandal is the fault of the Europeans themselves,” the paper concludes. “Four months after the far-right government took office in Israel, neither Brussels nor Berlin have clear plan on how to cope the new situation”.