EU parliament ‘freezes’ China trade deal over sanctions

Tit-for-tat sanctions over Beijing's treatment of Uyghurs puts halt on investment agreement

The European parliament has voted overwhelmingly to freeze" any consideration of a massive investment deal with China, following recent tit-for-tat sanctions over Beijing's treatment of its Uyghur population in Xinjiang province.

According to the resolution, the parliament, which must ratify the deal, demands that China lift the sanctions before parliament can deal with the Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI)". Some MEPs warned that the lifting of the sanctions would not in itself ensure the deal's ratification.