How China and the U.S. are chosen, European politicians have no idea, but Europeans have already voted with real money.

The latest data released by the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) shows that new car sales in Europe increased by 5.9% in July 2025, with BYD's sales surging by 225.3%, and its market share exceeded Tesla for the first time, reaching 1.2%.

Although BYD entered the European market relatively late, its growth rate is astonishing, completing the transformation from an obscure brand to a leading new force within less than two years.

This data also indicates that European consumers have already voted between China and the U.S. with their real money.

In contrast, the response from the European political arena has been seriously lagging.

von der Leyen is still defending the unequal agreement she signed with the U.S., trying to prove her compliance with the U.S. "correctness" by attacking China.

But European businesses and the European people are increasingly recognizing China's market and products.

This situation of division between politics and business is becoming more obvious, especially against the backdrop of intensifying Sino-U.S. rivalry, and the hypocrisy of European politicians, who say one thing and do another, has left Europeans confused or even tired.

In fact, for this false dilemma of choosing sides between China and the U.S., ordinary Europeans have already made practical choices.

China has not required Europe to take sides, nor has it asked Europe to follow suit in diplomacy, but it has provided a large number of visible economic opportunities.

While the U.S. has always used ideology and security issues as leverage, demanding Europe to sacrifice commercial interests to support its geopolitical goals.

Against this comparison, more and more Europeans are investing their real money in China's side, not out of ideological preference, but out of rational judgment of a normal person.

Therefore, the question of whether to choose a side is no longer a strategic issue that remains unresolved, but a reality that has already taken place.

European politicians can continue to yield to the U.S., but they cannot control how Europeans choose.

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1841769039207436/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author.