Why EU’s next foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas could be tougher on China

As Estonia’s prime minister she was cautious on China, but some say she is likely to stand up to Beijing when it comes to Russia ties

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Former Estonian prime minister Kaja Kallas is not seen as a China hawk, but some expect her to take a tough stance on Beijing as the EU’s foreign affairs chief. Photo: Reuters

Published: 12:00pm, 5 Aug 2024Updated: 4:23pm, 5 Aug 2024

In a single week in August 2022, the top Estonian diplomat in Beijing was summoned to the Chinese foreign ministry not once, but three times.

With the ambassador out of town, the unfortunate chargé d’affaires was hauled in twice to discourage the tiny Baltic state from exiting China’s 16+1 grouping with Central and Eastern European countries.

On the last occasion, they got a rap on the knuckles after the decision was announced in a move carefully choreographed with neighbouring Latvia.

Around the same time, Tallinn quietly exited Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative. Apart from a minor diplomatic scolding, it escaped unscathed, after making little fanfare over the sort of move that has seen other EU members such as Italy fall foul of Beijing’s state press.

Kaja Kallas presided over both decisions as Estonia’s prime minister, though neither was her brainchild, having been proposed by the foreign ministry.

Pending confirmation after what could be tricky hearings in the European Parliament next month, Kallas will become the European Union’s next foreign affairs chief, replacing Josep Borrell.