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Comment by isaacremuant | Hacker News Reader

It's ok. It's fine when the EU does it. It's only wrong and against capitalism when others do it. Like protectionism.

I think its fine to have national and strategic interests. China isn't someone that you can just trust, they are exporting to Russia on the sly and therefore supporting war in Europe because it suits them.

> and therefore supporting war in Europe because it suits them.

FWIW, EU countries are still sending more money to Russia for oil than they send Ukraine in aid. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/24/eu-spends-more...

Modern global economies are complicated.

This is a tired talking point. If the EU stopped those imports abruptly they'd blow up their own economies and there would be chaos on the streets.

It is stupid that they put themselves in that position, but they've also greatly reduced their dependency as the war progressed.

With the current trade war and their own domestic troubles, China cannot afford to alienate other foreign markets, hence why this is the prime time to drive concessions against them.

> they are exporting to Russia on the sly

is it really on the sly though?

The Euro stance on buying US weapons for Ukraine is probably the most dumbest strategic move or the century. Europe is losing at an alarming rate in many ways. I would be more concerned about the US if I were Europe.

Well clearly clinging free trade while others pursue protectionism/industrial strategy at massive scales against you isn't sustainable.

Is it hypocrisy of you decide to punch back after getting punched? Not really. And China certainly was the much more protectionist than the EU for the three decades.

Why is "against capitalism" == wrong? Maybe it's right because it's against capitalism.

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