Question for written answer E-002188/2020 to the Commission Rule 138 Anna Bonfrisco (ID), (ID), Valentino Grant (ID), (ID), (ID), (ID), (ID), (ID), (ID), (ID)

Subject: Reshaping the EU-China relations framework

The social disruption caused by the new coronavirus offers the opportunity to reshape some elements of the regional and global order. One major tool for dealing with COVID‑19 properly is personal protective equipment (PPE). PPE has now become a new EU strategy: Commissioner Breton said that the EU will be self-sustainable in a few weeks. This is proof that Member States and the EU have failed in their planning/protection of citizens and have made them vulnerable and dependent on foreign production instead. Back in February, when China needed help the most, the EU sent tons of goods/equipment, spending millions of euros. Germany, France and Italy were major contributors. Now the EU Member States are receiving help from China but the fact that China has sold, not donated, PPE to Italy, and is charging for the very PPE Italy previously donated, is discouraging and alarming. Spain had to return faulty test kits to China, and the Netherlands has recalled 600 000 faulty coronavirus face masks it imported from China.

1. Considering that the EU-China investment agreement should be signed this year, is the Commission willing to reshape the EU-China relations framework?

2. Is it willing to launch a public consultation on the future of EU-China relations?

Supporter1

1 This question is supported by a Member other than the authors: (ID)

PE650.955v01-00