Nato countries have discussed economic measures to contain the “challenge” posed by China to the western military alliance, as the US steps up pressure on its allies to take a tougher line towards Beijing.
Foreign ministers from the alliance on Wednesday discussed potential action, including export controls and ways to protect strategic infrastructure from Chinese investment, in talks that the US said showed “growing convergence” among Nato countries on the issue.
“What we talked about today is . . . working to adapt in concrete ways to meet the challenge,” US secretary of state Antony Blinken told reporters after the meeting in Bucharest. “What we are seeing and what we are doing . . . is looking into the areas where China poses a challenge . . . and taking appropriate steps accordingly.”