Production: By Europod, in co-production with Sphera Network.
EUobserver is proud to have an editorial partnership with Europod to co-publish the podcast series “Briefed” hosted by Léa Marchal. The podcast is available on all major platforms.
Find the full transcript below:
Europeans are struggling to align on China.
Today, the college of European commissioners will hold a debate on China. It should reflect the division among the countries pushing for a tougher stand on Beijing, and those who are reluctant to confront the world’s second-largest economy.
But while the EU is still figuring out its position, what are China’s strategic objectives when it comes to the EU?
“China is destroying our economy”. This is what Belgian prime minister Bart de Wever wrote in a letter addressed to European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen in March. He urged the EU to protect Europe’s industrial base against Chinese pressure.
Over the last few years, trade has become a sore point between the EU and its third-largest trading partner.
In the period 2015 to 2024, the deficit of the EU doubled in value
China’s weaponisation of its quasi-monopoly on rare earths has also sparked debate on European dependencies.
So in order to rebalance the trade relationship, the EU has quite a few requests for China: opening up its market, stopping overcapacities, and dropping restriction on rare earths exports.
How does Beijing view the whole situation?
In Beijing’s eyes, Europe and its demands are not a priority at all.
Since 2018, China has been focusing on its diplomatic engagement with regions it labels as “The Global South”.
Last April, after he declined an invitation to visit Brussels for the EU-China summit, Xi Jinping toured Southeast Asia and promoted China as the region’s economic integration engine.
A month later, Xi announced a credit line of approximately €8.3bn to support development in Latin American and Caribbean countries.
And since 1 May 2026, 53 African countries have duty-free access to the Chinese market.
The old continent is therefore neither a priority partner, nor the primary foe to watch out for.
As for the EU’s request Beijing has no intention to meet them, be it on overcapacities, or on market access.
Because at home, the Chinese economy is under pressure: governmental measures have not succeeded in addressing the domestic investment and consumption slump. In March, Beijing set its target 2026 GDP growth to 4.5 to five percent, a record low since 1991.
Exports are as vital as ever to the Chinese manufacturing industry, which remains the primary engine of the country’s economy. And with the Trump tariffs, which have compromised access to the US market, exporting to the European market is a necessity.
Does China only approach Europe as a market?
No.
European countries and the EU are background geopolitical actors in China’s eyes.
Firstly because, behind official statements, Beijing is a believer in hard power: economic, tech, and military superiority make a strong geopolitical actor. Plus, Beijing perceives Europe as profoundly divided and hardly capable of a strong geopolitical stance.
Beijing therefore cultivates relations with European countries which are less virulent, hoping that, whatever happens, they will allow China to keep a foot in Europe.
Finally, Beijing has little regard for European voices telling it to maintain calm in the South China Sea.
During the German chancellor Friedrich Merz’s visit to China in February, President Xi reportedly steered the conversation right from the start on Taiwan - the de facto independent island which China claims as its own.
“Unification will happen” he said, adding on to the European concern over a possible invasion of Taiwan, and global repercussions
Beijing perceives Europe as divided, and it will leverage these divisions to maintain access to its market and push for its other political and geopolitical objectives.
Beijing holds little regard for the EU and will continue to push its agenda through bilateral channels.
