The “Trump Touch”: China removes sanctions on MEPs

Today, after more than four years, China lifted its sanctions targeting five current and former Members of the European Parliament and the Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights. This decision, coming after several months of re-established communication initiated by China, marks a step towards restoring parliamentary dialogue with Beijing at a moment when its government is looking for allies to face the Trump administration’s blanket tariffs and the trade wars that ensued.

The MEPs now permitted to travel to the Asian nation are:

• Michael Gahler (EPP, Germany)
• Raphaël Glucksmann (S&D, France)
• Ilhan Kyuchyuk (Renew Europe, Bulgaria)
• Miriam Lexmann (EPP, Slovakia)
• Reinhard Bütikofer (The Greens/EFA, Germany), the only MEP who is no longer serving.

China’s original sanctions were imposed as retaliation after the EU enacted restrictive measures regarding human rights abuses against the Muslim Uyghur minority in the Xinjiang region.

While welcoming the development, the Parliament affirmed in its press release that this removal of sanctions would not prevent its members from continuing to “remain a strong defender of universal human rights and fundamental values worldwide.”

Regardless, thawing of relations between the EU and China is poised to continue. Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič held talks with his Chinese counterparts shortly after Trump’s “Liberation Day” announcement. Similarly, Commission President Von Der Leyen also discussed the issue in a call with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, before pointing out that the EU-China Summit in July would offer a fitting moment to mark 50 years of diplomatic relations and deepen relationships further.