Czech MEP: EU Needs Strong China Ties to Balance Risks

A Czech member of the European Parliament has argued that the European Union must prioritize strong relations with China as a strategic counterweight to mounting global uncertainties, warning that the bloc cannot afford to isolate itself from the world’s second-largest economy. In an exclusive interview with The Paper, Ondřej Dostál, a Member of the European Parliament from the Czech Republic, stated that “good China-Europe relations are the only way for the EU to balance any strategic risks.”

Context and Background

Dostál, a 47-year-old lawyer and politician who has served as an MEP since July 2024, made the remarks during a two-week visit to China from May 23 to June 1, 2026. His itinerary included stops in Beijing, Shanghai, and Hangzhou, where he engaged with leading academic institutions including Tsinghua University, Peking University, and Fudan University, as well as the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and Global Times.

According to his Wikipedia biography, Dostál is a member of the Stačilo! (“Enough!”) party, a left-wing populist alliance in the Czech Republic. He was the only European Parliament member to attend China’s Victory Day military parade in Tiananmen Square in September 2025, which commemorated China’s victory in the War of Resistance Against Japan.

Key Developments

Dostál’s visit came at a time of significant geopolitical flux. The interview was published shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s state visit to Beijing in May 2026, as reported by The Guardian, and amid escalating trade tensions between the EU and the United States under the Trump administration.

Dostál was sharply critical of proposed US trade terms, stating: “The Americans proposed that the EU impose zero tariffs on American goods, while the US imposes 15% or even 25% tariffs on European goods. This is clearly unfair and a terrible arrangement.” He argued that the EU needs China as a “balancing force” in its economic relationship with Washington.

The MEP also addressed the European Commission’s proposed Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA), introduced on March 4, 2026, which aims to boost local manufacturing and reduce dependence on China in clean technology sectors. While acknowledging the act’s protectionist elements, Dostál suggested it could present opportunities for Chinese companies through technology transfer and local employment. “In Europe, we say, ‘A camel might be designed by the European Commission to be a horse,’” he remarked, noting that the final law will likely differ significantly from the initial proposal.

Analysis and Implications

Dostál’s views reflect a growing faction within the European Parliament that favors pragmatic engagement with China, particularly among Central European member states. He advocates for a “two-speed Europe” in which Western EU members maintain closer transatlantic ties while Central European countries deepen economic cooperation with Asia.

“If this ‘two-speed Europe’ situation occurs, Western European countries like France, the Netherlands, Italy, and Germany might have a faster-developing Europe,” Dostál explained. “That is, we would not continue the existing path of dependence on the US, but instead pursue more economic cooperation with Eastern countries.”

This position aligns with the new Czech government under Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, who took office in October 2025. According to an analysis by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, the Babiš government has adopted a “eurosceptic, pragmatic, economy-first” approach, emphasizing the One-China policy and normalizing relations with Beijing. Dostál described the new government as “much more rational” in handling international relations than its predecessor.

The divergence between President Petr Pavel, who has pursued closer ties with Taiwan, and Prime Minister Babiš on China policy could create internal tensions within the Czech Republic. However, Dostál expressed hope that improved bilateral relations could lead to concrete outcomes, including visa-free travel for Czech citizens to China.

Broader European Trends

Dostál noted a significant trend of European leaders “looking East” amid growing US-EU divisions, referencing visits by French, German, and British leaders to China in late 2025 and early 2026. He argued that the 2024 European Parliament election took place in a “very different” global context, before the severity of US-EU trade disputes became apparent.

“The European Commission is still living in 2024, but that year is over,” Dostál said, criticizing the EU’s current leadership under Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and High Representative Kaja Kallas for what he views as ideologically driven policies toward China.

What’s Next

The evolution of the EU’s Industrial Accelerator Act through the legislative process will be a key indicator of the bloc’s direction on China policy. Dostál’s call for deeper engagement contrasts sharply with the EU’s official “de-risking” strategy, which emphasizes reducing dependence on Beijing. As European leaders continue to navigate the competing pressures of US demands and Chinese economic opportunities, the debate between engagement and strategic autonomy is likely to intensify.

For the Czech Republic, the coming months will test whether the Babiš government can deliver on its promise of normalized relations with China while managing internal political divisions and maintaining its transatlantic commitments. Dostál’s interview, published by one of China’s major digital news outlets, serves as a signal that voices within Europe advocating for closer ties with Beijing are growing louder.