True enough. But in Stalin's time EU policy institutions weren't churning out ream after ream of "we're being vassalised (already have) and need to do something about it".

Nor was this accompanied by the very clear indicator that the EU is genuinely cozying up to China. It's not clear in the public eye although it's obvious that propaganda outlets have stopped doing anti-China content, but the quieter behind the scenes stuff is making it very clear they want to be closer.

The EU is stuck. It either fully vassalises, something that will result in a nationalist anti-US reactionary takeover that leads to conflict in Europe, or it gets closer to China. Those are the options. Closer Russia ties is obviously off the table right now but that's what they were doing prior to this war breaking out, even up to the very very start of the war Europe was still working on closer ties to Russia.

And if you think the above policy institute isn't still worrying about sovereignty, here is their take on Merz 10 days ago: https://ecfr.eu/article/from-fence-sitter-to-pace-setter-how-merzs-germany-can-lead-europe/

The very final point of it is their concern about sovereignty.

But the fundamental questions about Merz’s overall chancellorship are bigger still; indeed, they are European-history-shaping judgment calls. Ultimately, does Merz act on his recognition that Europe needs closer economic and military integration? Does his rhetoric on supporting Ukraine add up to a proportional German contribution to European deterrence of Russia? Do his economic and trade policies stake out Germany (and with it, Europe) in a genuinely sovereign space between the US and China?

It is the primary concern of EU policy tanks right now. Every single thing they do is filtering through "how do we maintain sovereignty" and a "the US is untrustworthy".

China is not a threat to sovereignty, we know this and so does everyone in Europe. Europe IS going to get closer and closer to China in a bid to escape vassalisation. It's not a theory it's actively what they are already doing. Trump even gave them excuses to accelerate it with the Tariff bullshit, European sentiment to China took a big boost especially when they didn't back down one bit, population views them as a necessary partner: https://ip-quarterly.com/en/what-europe-thinks-about-china-2025

All China has to do is handle their relationship with EU as well as they've handled Taiwan and things will improve. China is the only way.

Perhaps we are yin and yang on this matter. I am optimistic and you are pessimistic. I agree that it could go one of either of these directions and we seem to both agree on the possible directions, merely sitting on different sides as to what the final outcome might be. My opinion is that EU will do as it does, turtle along bureaucratically for 30 years pursuing a de-vassalisation strategy. The alternative is far riskier.