BRUSSELS: Washing­ton and the EU will pledge joint action to tackle concerns focused on China about non-market practices and coordinate their export controls on semiconductors and other goods at a meeting this month, a draft statement showed.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Euro­pean Commission Vice-President Margrethe Ves­ta­­ger and other senior officials are due to meet for the fourth edition of the EU-US Trade and Te­chnology Council in Lulea, Sweden, on May 30-31.

The draft statement seen by Reuters said the two sides would address non-market practices and economic coercion, and aim to hold regular talks on efforts to stop their companies’ knowledge linked to outbound investment supporting technologies of strategic rivals — an oblique reference to China.

They will also coordinate their export controls on “sensitive items” — including goods that have a military use — and semiconductors, said the statement, which only mentions China twice and could still be changed before the meeting.

Brussels says it considers China a partner in some fields, an economic competitor and a strategic rival. The European Union plans to recalibrate its China policy, recognising coordination with a more hawkish US is essential.

Highlighting the medical devices sector in China, it said the transatlantic partners are “exploring possible actions” over the threat posed by non-market policies and practices.

Published in Dawn, May 14th, 2023