Charles Michel, President of the European Council, part of the executive branch of the European Union (EU), has stated that the EU is working towards a relationship with China that is based on mutual benefits. Michel's comments were made during the 24th China-EU Summit held at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on Dec. 7.
According to Michel, "The EU is united in the pursuit of a stable and mutually beneficial relationship with China. A relationship anchored in the principles of transparency, predictability and reciprocity." Michel expressed these views via a social media post on X, formerly known as Twitter. He emphasized that the trade and economic relationship between China and the EU needs to become "more balanced and reciprocal."
In his address, Michel shared that the 27 EU Heads of State or Government had discussed the EU-China relationship last June. They agreed that this relationship should be founded on "transparency, predictability and reciprocity," according to a copy of his remarks provided by the European Council. Michel called for "sustainable, balanced, and fair trade relations" to enhance prosperity. He highlighted that while EU and China trade more than €2 billion in goods daily, there exists an almost €400 billion trade deficit for the EU. "We hope that concrete measures can be discussed and implemented to rebalance this relationship," said Michel.
Michel has been serving in Belgian government since 1999, as per information from the European Council website. In 2014 he assumed office as Prime Minister of Belgium and was elected President of the European Council in 2019.
American policymakers including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer have echoed similar sentiments calling for "reciprocity" in U.S.-China business relations, as reported by Federal Newswire in October. Schumer stated: "We need reciprocity. That means allowing American companies to compete as freely in China as Chinese companies are able to compete in America. I made clear to President Xi that we do not believe there is a level playing field or reciprocity now."
In October, U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Maryland) introduced the bipartisan True Reciprocity Act of 2023. This legislation directs the Secretary of State and other relevant federal departments and agencies to submit a report to Congress detailing disparities in the treatment of journalists, businesses, non-governmental organizations, diplomats and other officials in China compared to the U.S., according to a copy of the bill. The bill stipulates that these agencies must outline a strategy on how to address these imbalances within 180 days of the bill's enactment.
The legislation further emphasizes that U.S. policy should prioritize the principle of reciprocity in its relationship with China, defining "reciprocity" as "the mutual and equitable exchange of privileges between governments, countries, businesses, or individuals."
In November, Rep. Mike Gallagher, chairman of the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, told Federal Newswire he believes the True Reciprocity Act would help "end the diplomatic and economic double standards" between the U.S. and China. "The principle of reciprocity should be at the core of any negotiations between the U.S. and PRC – fair is fair," Gallagher said.
