[dirtyid]

EU decided to sanction China for XJ. First sanctions since TianAnMen. H&M letter was released last year, so timing suggest H&M targeted (by Communist Youth League) in retaliation. A little nationalism organically spread drama to Nike and other brands. As for whys, CCP position has always been foreign companies don't have right / "deserve" market access if they decide to politicized commerce. But more significantly, CCP is adopting more assertive diplomacy. Wolf warrior or whatever lazy western labelling. West thinks it's for domestic audiences. I think it's China finally asserting need for diplomatic "respect", not in terms of admiration but regard, i.e. raise costs for sanctioning China should be as high as sanctioning US, who is more or less immune.