EU’s trade pivot toward China must address systemic imbalances, not just protectionism
Original framing: “Former WTO head Pascal Lamy on the EU’s China choice: get a rebalance, or go protectionist” — South China Morning Post
The article fails to amplify the perspectives of marginalized groups, including EU migrant workers, women in manufacturing, and small-scale producers in both regions. Their insights are crucial for crafting inclusive trade policies.
The EU’s dilemma over China is less a choice between rebalancing and protectionism and more a symptom of entrenched global trade asymmetries rooted in colonial legacies and modern capital flows.
By institutionalizing WTO reforms, negotiating a strategic accord that balances tariffs with technology and sustainability commitments, and embedding inclusive value chain programs, the EU can shift from reactive protectionism to proactive, systemic resilience. This approach must be anchored in cross-cultural knowledge exchanges that amplify marginalized voices, ensuring that trade policy serves both economic growth and social equity, as evidenced by historical precedents like the post‑war European reconstruction and contemporary initiatives such as the EU’s Digital Single Market.