"Why is the 'European duck' so afraid of the 'Beijing duck'?"
According to a report by the British 'Financial Times' on July 26, the European Commission officially launched an anti-dumping investigation into Chinese duck meat at the beginning of this month. This is the first time in recent years that the EU has extended trade defense measures to Chinese agricultural products.
From cars and steel to poultry today, the extension of EU investigations reveals a structural anxiety faced by Europe due to the comprehensive improvement in China's industrial competitiveness. Data shows that by 2025, China's trade surplus with the EU will reach 360.6 billion euros. Some Europeans are trying to instill fear among the European public: a large quantity of "low-cost overproduced goods" from China are flooding the EU market. If this situation is not addressed promptly, European companies will be severely impacted.
According to reports, in the face of this situation, China has deployed a proven and effective strategy: while maintaining dialogue at the Brussels level, it actively tries to win over the “weak links” among the 27 EU member states, aiming to divide them and manage them separately.
Analysts say that China is also working hard to build relations with neighboring countries in the EU, such as the UK and Morocco, in order to join the EU single market. Additionally, it is attempting to influence European companies that have large operations in China.
"We have 28 voices in Europe – 27 member states plus the EU – and China has always liked to strike from all sides, and this tactic always works." said DGA Group partner Joerg Wuttke.
German Chancellor and Spanish President among other leaders have recently visited China, receiving high-level hospitality. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has clearly stated that China and Europe are "partners rather than rivals," emphasizing support for European integration, but placing more emphasis on independent economic relations with each member country.
"Over the past year, China's relationship with the EU has not been so good, but China always has greater confidence in its own independent economic relations with each member country." Professor Cui Hongjian of the Department of Regional and Global Governance at Beijing Foreign Studies University said.
He stated that the EU can be roughly divided into three groups: a few countries like France and Italy that tend to be protecionist; countries like Spain that wish to strengthen cooperation with China; and most countries that try to find a ‘balance’ between these two groups.
Beijing Roast Duck IC Photo
European Parliament's Trade Committee member Željana Zovko said that member states are "fearing" China. Although the EU has jointly responded to the tariffs imposed by US President Trump, it will not take the same actions against China, as they have a so-called excessive dependence on China in areas such as renewable energy technologies, critical minerals, and cheap inputs.
"We were too stupid to allow such excessive reliance. We don't have a clear position towards China like we do towards the United States," she claimed.
In contrast, reports quote a senior European diplomat in Beijing as saying that China has become "more confident" after defeating the United States in the trade war last year.
"We are too weak in front of China." said Marie-Sophie Dibling, a trade lawyer at Brussels based law firm Brusel Kashedi Liwei Kent.
The Chinese side knows exactly what to do, and there is always a counterattack.
