Brussels
Bowing to U.S. pressure, the E.U. has decided not to lift its arms embargo against China, Hamburg, Germany’s Der Spiegel reported this week. Western nations quit selling weapons to China after the 1989 massacre of democratic activists in Tiananmen Square. In recent months, though, France and Germany said they planned to resume the sales to reward China for progress on human rights. But the E.U. changed its mind after strong pressure from the U.S. and China’s recent statement that it would invade Taiwan should the island republic declare its independence. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said earlier this week that Europe should “do nothing” to alter the balance of power in Asia. “It is the United States, not Europe, that has defended the Pacific,” she said.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
The Velvet Sundown: viral band that doesn't actually existIn the Spotlight These AI-generated rock hits are brought to listeners by… no one
-
Snow what? 6 charming ski towns to visit during peak summerThe Week Recommends No powder, no problem
-
Retro tomatoes: a species of the plant is evolving backwardUnder the radar Environmental factors may play a role
