Being sold and helping people count money! As soon as the EU's voice fell, Britain took the initiative to be the "first bird" and sanctioned 11 Chinese companies in one breath.
EU commissioner for trade and other matters, Maroš Ševčovič, yesterday shouted to the G7, hoping to get together on China's new rules on rare earth exports, to take a strong response.
The next day, Britain that it had sanctioned 11 Chinese entities on the same grounds: “These companies supplied key goods to the Russian military industry and helped Russian energy entities.”
These two things are obviously connected, but Britain and Europe shouted "the position against China must be unanimous", how did Britain "light the knife", but the EU could not rain, which is secretly left behind the dialogue?
The British sanctions this time seem sudden, but in fact there are signs.
Back in March, Britain also imposed sanctions on four Chinese electronic component companies on roughly the same "Russian-related" grounds, when the Chinese embassy in the UK clearly warned that "this would break the bottom of Chinese-British economic trade."
In the past seven months, the UK has not only taken action, but also almost tripled the scope of sanctions, all of which are key areas of business.
One of the companies agreed with the British Rolls-Royce, to jointly develop heat-resistant parts of aircraft engines, as a result of sanctions, the project immediately stopped, the millions of pounds invested in the previous period hit the water.
Looking at the European Union, on the surface, it "wears a pair of pants" with Britain, but its actual actions are full of caution.
When he consulted with the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Sergei Chovetch emphasized a phrase: "The G7 must first put together its positions, not alone."
This sounds like "seeking unity", but in fact the EU does not dare to gamble.
China supplies more than 90% of the EU's refined rare earth products, and these rare earths are the "lifeblood" of German automobile chips and Dutch Asmail lithography machines.
So there is a quarrel within the EU now, with Germany and France clearly opposing "following British sanctions."
The specific time for the "G7 video conference" that Shevcovic mentioned has not yet been set. On the contrary,"dialogue with China" has been prioritized next week.
Isn't this obvious? The EU just wants Britain to "find out China's bottom" first and hide behind to see the wind.
In Britain, it was used as a gun.
The EU has played a combination of "interest temptation + risk transfer", and every step is calculated precisely.
First look at the “risk transfer” trick.
2025 is the "policy adjustment year" for the European Commission. Von der Leyen's team is being criticized internally for "swinging its policy towards China." They must not only align with the United States ideologically, but also dare not lose the big market of China.
Britain's initiative to impose sanctions just gives the EU a "step". On the surface, the EU and Britain have "the same position" and can cross the line with the United States and internal conservatives.
In fact, the EU has put the risk of direct confrontation with China on Britain by “not following the sanctions for the time being.”
Even if China opposes, British companies will be the first to bear the brunt, which has nothing to do with the EU's core industries such as automobiles and semiconductors.
This kind of thinking of "borrowing other people's hands to do things and hiding yourself" is really smart.
Take a look at the “self-assurance” concept.
The new rules on rare earth exports introduced by China on October 9 have long panicked the EU.
The EU's foreign dependence on rare earth elements such as dysprosium and terbium is as high as 98%, and these elements are key materials for new energy vehicle motors and wind turbines.
The EU is pushing forward its “carbon neutrality target for 2030”, and if it is rare to admit, this goal will have to blow up.
Therefore, while the EU asked Britain to "rush forward" to see if China would use rare earths to counter it, it quickly set up a dialogue with China, hoping to win a "special supply channel" for itself.
To put it bluntly, it is to let Britain take risks and take advantage of "finding out China's bottom line" by itself.
There is also the illusion of “binding camps.”
The EU has a clear mind, and the United States wants its allies to be tough on China.
Britain’s initiative to impose sanctions is to help the European Union in the presence of the United States and prove that “the European Union and the United States have one heart”.
At the same time, the EU does not really blame China, leaving room for further economic and trade cooperation.
How can’t you see this “two-sided” calculation in England?
In fact, the British "hanging" is the root of their own "dependence anxiety".
After leaving the EU, the trade volume between the UK and the EU dropped by 21%. GDP only increased by 0.3% in the second quarter of 2025, and the economic recovery was as slow as a snail.
In order to recover losses, the UK just signed an agreement with the EU in May to join the EU's 150 billion euro defense procurement plan. The price is to "remain consistent with the EU" on Russia-related and China-related issues.
At the same time, Britain also wants to rely on China tough, in exchange for the United States in the British-American trade agreement, such as allowing British cars and agricultural products to enter the US market with tariffs a little lower.
But can this "favor for benefits" approach really solve Britain's problems? I'm afraid it will only make me more passive.
The response of China's Embassy in the UK was very methodical. It was neither biased nor gave the EU the opportunity to "borrow a knife to kill people."
China first pointed out the essence of British sanctions, which is unilateralism without basis in international law. It also specifically emphasized that "China strictly controls the export of dual-use items, and normal corporate cooperation between China and Russia should not be disturbed.
And China’s response is only directed at Britain, not the whole European Union.
This game is too crucial, both to avoid falling into the "multilateral confrontation", and to leave the EU's "calculation" empty, if the EU wants to collect the fishing interest, we have to consider whether after the UK is repressed, will not delay the UK-European cooperation, such as affecting the participation of British enterprises in the EU's defense procurement program.
China's bottom line comes from a clear awareness of its own advantages.
If the UK continues to impose additional sanctions, China can fully affect the UK's high-end manufacturing industry by regulating the supply of rare earths.
This "precision strike" is used more than a widespread counter-tube.
More importantly, China's position is in line with the consensus of "maintaining multilateral order."
China's emphasis on "respecting international law" can not only gain the understanding of the international community, but also make Britain's "unilateral actions" appear isolated.
From the current situation, Britain's "initiative as the head of the bird" play is likely to end with "stolen chickens not to erode rice".
The EU is "unreliable" and China's counterattack may come soon. This will undoubtedly add insult to injury to the already weak British economy.
Britain used to be an "empire where the sun never sets", but now it is really embarrassing that it has to please the United States and Europe for interests, and is willing to be a "shield" for others.