Activities of Helmut SCHOLZ related to 2023/2072(INI)
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on the security and defence implications of China’s influence on critical infrastructure in the European Union
Amendments (12)
Amendment 2 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Highlights the fact that in 2022, China was the EU’s second largest trade in goods partner; expresses concern about the increasingly unbalanced trade and investment relationship between the EU and China, which is also highlighted by the EU’s record trade deficit of EUR 396 billion in 2022; notes that through trade with China, in particular electronic consumer goods, and ICT devices have become affordable for EU citizens, and that EU companies are producing on a large scale in China, including for export to the EU;
Amendment 4 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Is mindful that the positive image products originating in the EU enjoy among the growing Chinese middle class, which outnumbers already the entire population of the EU, has been a key to success for EU exports to China, which were exceeding a combined value of 230 billion Euro in 2022;
Amendment 8 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that Chinese investments in Europe remains way below its potential, and even continued to decline in 2022, reaching a 10-year low of EUR 7.9 billion; observes that Chinese greenfield investments in the EU reached a ten-year- high at the same time;
Amendment 15 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Is neverthelessRecognises the conclusions on China adopted by the European Council at its meeting on 29 and 30 June 2023, and is equally convinced that the trade and investment relationship between the EU and China is of strategic importance and should be rules-based, with the multilateral trading system, balanced engagement and the principle of reciprocity at its core;
Amendment 20 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Emphasises that trade and investment are key drivers of sustainable growth, job creation and innovation and that the EU should therefore maintain its economic openness1 ; stresses that increased investment and international cooperation in research and development are needed in order to develop and roll- out innovations that can help mitigate the effects of global warming and other environmental challenges, in accordance with commitments in respective international agreements; _________________ 1 Commission communication of 18 February 2021 entitled ‘Trade Policy Review – An Open, Sustainable and Assertive Trade Policy’ (COM(2021)0066).
Amendment 23 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Points out that the quality of a foreign investment should be measured by its medium and long-term impact on the receiving region or business; reiterates that foreign investors must comply with their obligations as investors and respect EU and Member State legislation regarding workers' rights and including works councils, health at the working place, and environmental legislation and regulations;
Amendment 29 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Acknowledges that in certain cases, foreign trade and investment can create security vulnerabilities, including with regard to foreign ownership of, control of or access to EU critical infrastructure; notes that there is a tremendous deficit in investment in the EU in the modernisation of its infrastructure, in particular with regard to the energy grid and other infrastructure of crucial importance for a successful green transition;
Amendment 32 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Recommends that a rejection of a Chinese investor shall not result in the failing of the development of the concerned infrastructure, and should therefore be compensated by a public investment, embeded both in EU and Member State economic policies;
Amendment 39 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Welcomes the Commission’s proposed European economic security strategy2 , which aims to maximise the benefits of the EU’s economic openness while minimising the risks resulting from economic interdependencies; stresses nevertheless the need for enhanced international cooperation in the interest of citizens and for strengthening the EU economies; approves of the fact that the strategy explicitly recognises that risks to the physical and cyber security of critical infrastructure are key security vulnerabilities for European economies; is highly concerned by the growing number of EU-based businesses that were targeted for blackmail, industrial espionage, sabotage, or data theft, and that China has become the second most common country of origin of these attacks; calls on the authorities in China and the EU to cooperate in the fight against cybercrime; _________________ 2 Joint communication from the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of 20 June 2023 on ‘European Economic Security Strategy’ (JOIN(2023)0020).
Amendment 51 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Recalls that the Regulation on the screening of foreign direct investments3 addresses risks to security and public order resulting from investments from outside the EU; recalls also that according to this regulation, the decision on whether to set up a screening mechanism or to screen a particular foreign direct investment remains the sole responsibility of the Member State concerned; notes that critical infrastructure is among the factors that may be taken into consideration by the Member States or the Commission in determining whether an investment is likely to affect security or public order. _________________ 3 Regulation (EU) 2019/452 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 March 2019 establishing a framework for the screening of foreign direct investments into the Union (OJ L 79I, 21.3.2019, p. 1).
Amendment 57 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Points out that the security of citizens should not be characterised merely under military defence aspects, as safeguarding their well-being includes economic, social and environmental dimensions; calls therefore on the EU institutions and Member States to increase their joint efforts to implement own policies and realise investments to lift up economic abilities in order to deliver high well-being standards for all people in the EU;
Amendment 62 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. Recommends to reduce risks rather by a focus on trust-building EU- China initiatives such as establishing a formal decarbonisation partnership, also as a further step towards setting multilateral rules and standards on sustainability ;