iGlobeViews Episode 22: (19. October 2026). Diana Mautner Markhof, editor-in-chief of iglobenews.org discusses with China expert Professor Susanne Weigelin-Schwiedrzik the wider implications for Europe and China of Europe’s increasingly antagonistic stance towards China. The Merz-Macron Letter outlines how the (failed) leaders of Europe’s two most powerful countries envisage the EU‘s future trade policy vis-a-vis China. They want tough protectionist policies and more tools in the Commission’s arsenal of instruments to block China from the market if needed. The Industrial Accelerator Act will add to the pressure on Sino-EU relations. Will the conflict continue to spiral or will both sides come to the negotiating table? The cost of the war in Ukraine is a political liability for the EU and the political future of Merz and Macron. With no plan on how to lower energy costs and with the deindustrialization of Europe moving forward at ever greater speed, Europe is desperate to show it has found a solution to these problems. Tune in to find out what the geopolitical implications of this trade spat are and how the rapprochement between Trump and Putin are forcing Europe into a corner. Will China, the US and Russia ignore Europe moving forward? Please remember to like, follow and subscribe. #EU #merzmacronletter #ukrainewar #china #economiccrisis #iglobenews