A European lawmaker is calling for like-minded countries to set up a “NATO for trade”. Swedish Member of European Parliament Charlie Weimers says democracies need a way to protect themselves against economic coercion by countries like China.
In an exclusive interview with Radio Taiwan International on Wednesday, Weimers said the EU should form a “global alliance” with partner countries. He says countries should be able to trigger an “Article 5” and stand together if they face unfair blocks on trade.
Weimers was referring to Article 5 of the NATO Treaty, which says an attack on one member is an attack on all members.
The Swedish lawmaker says the issue is particularly pressing given China’s intense trade pressure on Lithuania, which is a member of the EU. Beijing blocked a wide range of Lithuanian imports after Lithuania and Taiwan set up representative offices in each other’s capitals.
Weimers is part of a Swedish delegation visiting Taiwan. The delegation leaves on Thursday.