Maltese MEP Alfred Sant said the EU should focus on its new Cybersecurity Act, and help member states coordinate and mount their cybersecurity protection, when he abstained on a resolution on security threats connected to rising Chinese technological presence in the EU and the possible action on EU level to reduce them. The Maltese MEP said he was concerned that the proposed scanning of big Chinese investment project could be a way to reintroduce capital control on the economic development of certain member states.
Sant said the expansion of Huawei has become part of a broader struggle over technological supremacy and cybersecurity. Nevertheless, this fight should not be conducted through allegations of espionage and the re-creation of a geopolitical divide.
“US President Trump, by throwing accusations at the Chinese company Huawei, has totally ignored that to be fully credible, claims made need to be grounded on facts and arguments related to economic performance, not on unsupported presuppositions. Countries are apparently being expected to choose their side – Washington or Beijing. I do not believe that this is a reasonable or sustainable way forward to achieve valuable technological progress or to appease current tensions related to trade.”
The Maltese MEP noted that the resolution endorses a new regulation establishing a framework to screen foreign direct investments for reasons of security and public order.
“Big Chinese investment projects could be scanned for their strategic implications. I have deep concerns about these practices, which could be a way to reintroduce capital controls and occult brakes on the economic development of certain member states.” remarked the Maltese MEP.