Between Trump and a Hard Place. Europe Balances Sanctions and Top Chinese Envoy

Democratic and Economic Security Outlook 2025: 15-21 September

15 September 2025

The EU’s 19th sanctions package will be out on Wednesday – just days after Donald Trump’s ‘letter’ to NATO, declaring he will only impose sanctions on Russia if allies stop buying Russian oil and wage tariffs on China. While Trump might be right about the numbers, this looks more like an excuse from the US President.

Chinese relations will also be a hot topic in Poland today, as Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski meets his counterpart Wang Yi. While long-planned, the visit holds new importance in light of recent events including the border lockdown with Belarus – a key route for China’s New Silk Road infrastructure in Europe.

Our Europe Future Forum launches this morning with a special breakfast that will discuss all of these points on economic security. It will be led by Deputy Foreign Minister Ignacy Niemczycki, before he jets off for the GAC and discussions on the rule of law in Europe and candidate countries – another key focus of our forum.

Trump tells NATO to get lost – or fix sanctions on Russian oil and tariff China. But US stands by Poland at the UN Security Council 

GLOBAL/REGIONAL

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