European Parliament likely to vote to freeze China deal
20 May 2021, 03:56 GMT+10
Brussels [Belgium], May 19 (ANI): The European Parliament is expected to pass a motion on Thursday pushing to formally freeze the European investment agreement with China in the wake of sanctions on EU lawmakers by Beijing.
According to Politico, the draft motion also calls on the European Union (EU) to step up coordination with the US to deal with China. It also stresses that any trade deals with Taiwan "should not be held hostage" by the deal with Beijing.
If passed, the vote is expected to deal a further blow to initial expectations that the deal -- seven years in the making and aimed at opening up the Chinese market -- could enter the ratification process in a few months' time.