Thing is CAI is a comprehensive treaty to bridge all EU countries, currently some EU countries already had separate treaty with China. My tinfoil hat said that countries that already had the deal have incentive to delay the CAI to prolong their advantage.
Someone please inform these guys that the CAI is massively in favour of the EU. If they want to "cut off their nose to spite their face" then they are welcome to do so.
They should keep in mind though that the US continues to have big competitive advantage vs the EU on accessing China's market. The more they wait the more they lose out vs the US.
Good job on the CIA stalling the deal lol