Or it is simply that the EU has turned into such a massive trading partner with China that it can't publicly deal with repercussions and just puts its head down

Or it is simply that the EU has turned into such a massive trading partner with China that it can't publicly deal with repercussions and just puts its head down as the US points it out. Germany does this with Russia too. Ignoring a lot of what it is doing in Ukraine to remain in the good graces to secure gas pipelines. Just because the EU doesn't publicly say it doesn't mean it isn't privately agreed upon.