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Taiwan Warns Europe That Reliance on China Threatens Freedom
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CNBC TV18•13-10-2026, 19:38
Taiwan Warns Europe That Reliance on China Threatens Freedom
- •Taiwanese Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung warned European Union leaders that dependence on Chinese suppliers poses a major risk to European freedom and sovereignty.
- •The warning came during a speech at the Warsaw Security Forum ahead of an EU summit in Brussels where trade with Beijing is a primary agenda item.
- •Lin emphasized that Europe and Taiwan share core democratic values and argued that trade with Taiwan fosters innovation and prosperity rather than strategic vulnerability.
- •Taiwan has been actively seeking closer diplomatic and economic ties with European nations, particularly following the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Key Questions Answered
Taiwan's foreign minister warned the European Union that dependence on Chinese suppliers is a threat to European freedom and sovereignty, rather than merely an economic risk.
EU leaders are addressing China as the first point of their summit to reduce the bloc's trade deficit and mitigate risks associated with becoming over-dependent on Beijing in sensitive sectors.
Although Taiwanese foreign ministers previously rarely visited Europe due to Beijing's objections, the current foreign minister has traveled there several times over the past two years, seeking closer ties especially since the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.
