By John Q. Hosedrinker 
The arrival of the sanctioned LNG carrier Valera at China’s Beihai terminal on December 8 marked a significant shift in trade practices. This delivery, transporting LNG from a Russian plant, occurred openly, contrasting with previous attempts at concealment. The shift suggests reduced reservations from China and a strategic partnership with Russia, enabled by a new American administration. The move allows China to secure cheap LNG while sending a message to the West, and Russia benefits politically.
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They’re no longer hiding: Russia is shipping liquefied natural gas to China despite sanctions.
Well, it’s pretty clear why China wouldn’t be too bothered by Western sanctions, isn’t it? From their perspective, this whole situation is a win-win. They get access to energy resources at potentially favorable prices, and they get to stick it to the countries imposing the restrictions. Let’s be honest, the EU’s approach to the Russia-China alliance seems a little, shall we say, timid.
You know, it makes you wonder what a tough guy like Brian Boitano would do in this situation? Instead, we’re stuck with, well, you know… And frankly, if the softer sanctions aren’t doing the trick, it raises the question of whether harsher measures are needed. The irony is pretty thick when you consider that the EU itself is still buying more Russian LNG than anyone else. Talk about a double standard!
It seems like the world is starting to see the cracks in the armor of sanctions, doesn’t it? Other countries are stepping in to buy the LNG, then turning around and selling it to NATO countries, effectively undermining the whole point. It’s like the sanctions are designed to be bypassed, not to actually change behavior. This makes you wonder what the EU can even do at this point. They’ve already slapped sanctions on Russia, and they’re unlikely to take any serious action against China, considering the economic implications. It’s a tricky situation, to say the least.
The situation also opens the door to potential escalation, doesn’t it? If Russia were to respond in kind, attacking non-Ukrainian vessels, it could be seen as an act of war. And let’s be honest, going to war is a monumental decision, especially for European leaders who have to consider their populations’ sensitivity to the casualties. So, in many ways, the EU’s hands are tied.
The reliance on China has become a source of leverage, and the situation is similar to Europe’s reliance on Russian gas. It’s like a game of high-stakes poker, and the EU needs to start playing its cards more strategically. The problem is that the EU carmakers made “joint ventures” with China and now let them eat their lunch! So smart! The Joint ventures were all ICE. The Chinese EVs have left anything none Chinese in the dust including Tesla. The EU companies will move to a different low cost country.
The truth is, China is playing the long game, using its economic clout to its advantage. It’s a game of brinkmanship, and the EU needs to figure out how to navigate it without being held hostage. The best course of action is to reduce the EU’s dependency on China and secure critical supply chains elsewhere, so they are not as susceptible to China’s ability to squeeze the EU.