U.S. Media: Under record-breaking heat, both the U.S. and Europe have had to rely on air conditioners made in China to cool down.
Europe's air conditioner penetration rate is only about 20%, far below the U.S.'s 90%, but this summer's extreme heat has triggered a surge in demand, with Europeans rushing to buy air conditioners. Chinese brands such as Midea, Gree, and Haier have seen significant increases in overseas sales. Among them, Midea's PortaSplit portable air conditioner, specifically designed for the European market, has sold over 200,000 units this year—double the sales compared to last year.
According to Euromonitor data, Chinese brands now hold 50% of the U.S. air conditioning market and 65% of the global market. This situation has placed the EU in an awkward position regarding its policy of imposing tariffs on China—official media have criticized European politicians for ignoring consumer demand, while supply chain experts point out that governments cannot justify refusing citizens' need for cooling simply by citing "curbing China's overcapacity."
Although Europe is seeking to reduce its reliance on China, under the climate crisis, the cost-effectiveness and flexible supply chain advantages of Chinese air conditioners have become increasingly evident. At the same time, China urgently needs to expand into the European market to alleviate pressures from the real estate downturn and sluggish exports. As a result, trade dynamics between the two sides have grown more complex due to fundamental human needs.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1872136100485120/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author(s) alone.