Niklas Swanström in Yle Arenan on Xi’s European tour
May 7, 2024: Niklas Swanström, ISDP’s Executive Director, was interviewed in Yle Arena’s podcast on “China’s Xi on European tour – trying to both charm and divide the EU”.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping is on a charm offensive in Europe. The aim is to pour oil on the waves and make the EU friendlier to China, both politically and economically, as the tone has become increasingly harsh recently. But China is also playing a game to gain an advantage over the EU, taking advantage of countries that don’t mind turning east. “Xi wants favorable agreements but on China’s terms, and is keen to drive wedges between Europe and the US at the same time,” says Niklas Swanström.