When the tone of the United States quietly softened due to the shock of the stock market, the European Union chose to jump on the big country game table that it couldn't play at the wrong time in the most overreaching way.
A heavy punch from the East cracked the calm appearance carefully maintained by the Western world.
A few days ago, China's Ministry of Commerce calmly announced the implementation of export controls on overseas rare earths and related technologies containing China ingredients in accordance with domestic regulations and international practices.
This legitimate measure to safeguard national security, but like a precise stone in the water, sparked chaos in the European and American power centers.
A dramatic contrast took place in the following days.
At the beginning of the policy release, U.S. President Donald Trump had re-implemented the technique, waving the 100% tariffs.
However, the market’s response is the crazy “Black Friday.”
Soon, senior U.S. finance officials had to soften their tone, claiming that tax increases "don't necessarily" happen, talk to China and so on. Anyone with a discerning eye can see that this is a strategic retreat under the pressure of reality, and it is the instinctive "sum" signal of the White House after feeling the pain.
However, just as the boss began to weigh the consequences, the man couldn't wait to rush to the front line.
On October 14, local time, European Commission Trade Commissioner Maros Sevcovic staged a wonderful "show of loyalty" drama.
With regard to China's new rules, they want to coordinate with the G7 and respond with the so-called reaction, with the harshness of its words, the hardness of its gestures, as if the hand holds something unnecessary.
Who gave the EU the courage to jump out as this "bird-out" when the bosses began to seek reconciliation?
The answer may be hidden in its deep-rooted "double-standard" gene and the sorrow of strategic involuntary.
First of all, the EU's fierce reaction is itself a large-scale manifestation of "double standards".
Sevcovic complained endlessly that China's previous controls on gallium, germanium and other materials "only properly handled half of the export applications", but never mentioned how many barriers the EU itself has built in recent years in the name of "economic security".
Recently, the EU has been using its export control tools frequently and is trying to build outsourcing supply chains in the name of “de-risking”.
This perfectly interprets the logic of certain Western forces: rules can only be set by me; tools can only be used by me.
What is this hegemonic logic?
This arrogance of "only state officials are allowed to set fires, but people are not allowed to light lamps" stems from an outdated sense of colonial superiority.
They are still used to China being the "factory of the world" that silently accepts rules and works hard. They simply can't accept a China that is equal to it at the level of rules and can even treat others in its own way.
China's new rare earth regulations, especially the extremely precise "0.1%" value ratio threshold and the traceability clause for Chinese technology, are essentially a declaration of "rule-making power".
It tells the world that the rules of the game have changed.
The EU's reaction shows that it refuses to recognize this reality.
So, let alone the emotional performance, does the EU really have a hard capital with China in this area?
The answer is undoubtedly no.
Its roar today is more like the wail of a "paper tiger" that has been poked at its soft spot.
The European Central Bank's own report shows that up to 70% of rare earth imports in the euro zone directly or indirectly depend on China.
From horses in electric vehicles to magnets in wind turbines, from precision components in lithography machines to key materials in the defense industry, Europe's green transformation and high-end manufacturing dreams are all built on the rare earth supply chain from the East.
The Polish deputy minister's "extreme concern" and reports that the Dutch company ASML is urgently preparing for supply chain disruptions have mercilessly revealed this.
An entity that cannot even guarantee the safety of raw material supply to its own key industries is clamoring to "show its strength" and "respond strongly". How is this different from a beggar showing off to his almsgivers that his begging bowl is strong?
The EU's "interference" further exposes the complete bankruptcy of its strategic autonomy.
Danish Foreign Minister Rasmussen stated without hiding that "we have common interests with our American allies in this area" and stressed the need to discuss a joint response with the United States.
This is tantamount to a blatant admission that the EU has willingly become a pawn of the US strategy towards China in this matter.
When the United States itself was forced to seek tactical relief due to domestic economic pressure, the European Union took a thicker stick to push the United States ahead.
This is by no means wisdom, but geopolitical "reckless death".
It can neither bridge the deep differences among its internal member countries nor propose practical solutions to get rid of dependence. It can only disguise its internal incompetence by showing strength externally.
China's counterattack against the United States is calm, precise and within the legal framework.
Clearly tell the U.S. and the entire West that in a world of interdependence, the “High Wall of the House” that attempts to exclude China from the outside will eventually be surrounded only by them.
The bureaucrats in Brussels are urged to wake up early from the colonial dream, the world has changed.
For China, the door to dialogue is always open, but on the premise of equality and mutual respect.
If the EU is still determined to hold on to its outdated hegemonic mindset, to be mediocre and to “plug one foot” on China, then reality will repeatedly, in a way deeper than words, teach it how to be a man.
In the face of real strength, all the performance of false voices will eventually become the laughter of history.