European firms unprepared for China shock as EU tries to cut reliance on Beijing – POLITICO

“Most likely, these export controls will be on the table again. But does the EU have a seat at this table? I rather doubt that,” said Cora Jungbluth, a China expert at Bertelsmann Stiftung and co-author of the survey.

“So the question is how much influence will the EU be able to have in these negotiations and vis-a-vis China,” she added.

Brussels is now preparing a diversification instrument aimed at reducing reliance on single suppliers and strengthening supply chains, while trying to tackle a goods trade deficit with China of roughly €1 billion a day. Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič is expected in Beijing in October — with possible EU countermeasures if talks fail.

The Bertelsmann survey was produced with the Mercator Institute, international relations think tank Clingendael and the Finnish Institute of International Affairs. Participation was voluntary and the results are not statistically representative.

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