China is cozying up to Europe — and using President Donald Trump to do it.
China’s Vice Premier He Lifeng threw subtle jabs at the Trump administration in a speech delivered at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Tuesday, pitching China as a defender of the rules-based international order.
“The unilateral acts and trade deals of certain countries clearly violate the fundamental principles and rules of the [World Trade Organization], and severely impact the global economic and trade order,” He said, according to Politico, pressing that the world should not return to “the law of the jungle, where the strong bully the weak.” (RELATED: China’s Population Hits Rock Bottom As It Reels From One-Child Policy Fallout)
He may have had in mind Trump’s public calls to acquire Greenland. Trump clarified that the U.S. would not use military force to take the territory, saying in a speech at the WEF delivered Wednesday, “People thought I would use force. I don’t have to use force. I don’t want to use force. I won’t use force.”
Regardless, Trump’s pursuit of Greenland has reportedly spooked some European officials.
“I think it is perceived as one step too far,” one European diplomat told Politico, speaking anonymously. “Europe has been criticized for being weak against Trump. There is some truth in that, but there are red lines.”
Switzerland’s President Guy Parmelin (C), flanked by Switzerland’s Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis (R), welcomes China’s Vice Premier He Lifeng prior to a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting in Davos on January 20, 2026. The World Economic Forum takes place in Davos from January 19 to January 23, 2026. (Photo by LAURENT GILLIERON / POOL / AFP via Getty Images)
Trump unleashed new tariffs against eight European countries in a Truth social post made Jan. 17, writing, “Starting on February 1st, 2026, all of the above mentioned Countries (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, The United Kingdom, The Netherlands, and Finland), will be charged a 10% Tariff on any and all goods sent to the United States of America. On June 1st, 2026, the Tariff will be increased to 25%. This Tariff will be due and payable until such time as a Deal is reached for the Complete and Total purchase of Greenland.”
Judging by He’s speech, China is hoping to capitalize on growing friction between the U.S. and Europe. He praised “free trade and economic globalization,” and claimed, “Tariffs and trade war have no winners.”
“We should pursue win-win cooperation, work together to make the pie bigger, and jointly resolve development issues,” He said, according to a translation of his remarks.
“Making the pie bigger together is more important than fighting for the pie, and solving problems together is more effective than blaming each other,” he added.
“Last year, economic and trade relations between China and the United States went through some ups and downs … Facts have demonstrated once again that China and the United States will gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation, and that they should and can help each other succeed and prosper together.” (RELATED: Canada Rags On America At Globalist Meetup After Shaking Hands With China)
Given Europe’s apparent fondness for lip service, He’s pitch probably fell on attentive ears.
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