Berlusconi: "EU defenceless against China."

Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has warned that the EU would be unable to defend itself if China attacked one of its member states. He urged Brussels to adopt a robust military strategy and invest heavily in defense. He also advocated an increase in defense spending and the establishment of a 300,000-strong “emergency corps”. Berlusconi also argued that the EU can and must play a greater role in the world, including standing up to Chinese imperialism. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that while “decoupling” from Beijing is not in the EU’s interests, Brussels should become “bolder” in its relations with China. The Chinese ambassador to the EU, Fu Cong, said her message was incoherent and contradictory, while calling out the “misrepresentation and misinterpretation of Chinese policies and Chinese positions.”