The EU Arms Embargo on China, from 2001 to the Present: Implications for the United States

Since 2001, the status of the EU arms embargo on China has had important implications for the United States. As an issue in the U.S.-EU, China-EU, and China-U.S. bilateral relationships, the status of the embargo has both been perpetuated and weakened by issues relating to security, human rights, and trade. The embargo debate continues to raise awareness on these issues as well as on competing interests and concerns over the true intent of an EU-China strategic partnership. American security interests would be negatively affected if the EU were to lift the embargo. The strategic implications of such an action would disrupt the current regional balances of power and potentially raise the probability of conflict. The EU has great economic interest in lifting the embargo in terms of gains in total trade, weapons sales, and the export of dual-use technology. However, American pressure and increased popular awareness on human rights issues within the EU have affected the EUs decision-making about the embargo. Formal and concerted efforts to lift the embargo stalled in 2005, but it remains in Washingtons interest to continue to discourage EU governments from making shortsighted efforts to obtain financial gains without first considering long-term strategic implications.