Don’t expect Greenland crisis to realign EU with China, former US diplomat says

South China Morning PostEN 1 min read 100% complete by Zhao ZiwenJanuary 20, 2026 at 05:14 AM

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According to former US diplomat William Klein, China's hopes that strained US-EU relations, stemming from events like the US interest in acquiring Greenland, will lead to a European realignment towards Beijing are likely unfounded. Speaking at a University of Hong Kong seminar, Klein stated that the EU's foreign policy will continue to focus on balancing relations between the US and China. He noted that while US policies are causing unease in Europe, China's image within the EU is also declining due to its trade practices and perceived support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Therefore, Klein believes a fundamental shift in Europe's engagement with China is improbable.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

FGS Global 40% Donald Trump (Trump) 40% Vladimir Putin (Putin) 40% University of Hong Kong 50% Beijing ×250% Russia 50% Ukraine 50% Greenland ×370% European Union ×380% William Klein ×380% United States ×490% China ×790%

Keywords

eu-china relations 90% us-china rivalry 80% transatlantic ties 70% greenland acquisition 60% european union 60% us foreign policy 50% china's image 50% russia-ukraine war 40% trade policy 40%