The EU still wants to wage a trade war against China, yet Chinese air conditioners are selling like hotcakes in Europe.
While the EU is still debating how to block Chinese-made products from entering Europe, Chinese air conditioners are already flying off the shelves across the continent.
Official data shows that in the first half of this year, Chinese air conditioners sold for $3.76 billion in EU countries, a 43.2% increase compared to the same period last year. Other Made-in-China heat-relief products are also wildly popular in Europe, including portable fans and sun hats.
Midea Group said their factories have been working around the clock recently, producing split-type air conditioners specifically designed for the European market. These units require no installation or drilling—simply place them by the window, bypassing Europe’s complex and varied regulations.
Since mid-June, Western European countries have been hit by consecutive heatwaves. People often say European summers are short and you just have to endure them—but enduring temperatures close to 40°C without air conditioning is unbearable, especially for elderly people with pre-existing health conditions.
A previous report revealed that France saw over 1,000 excess deaths within three days, while Spain recorded at least 212 heat-related deaths over four days.
Under these circumstances, a heated public debate has erupted in Europe over whether to install air conditioners. While politicians trade words, many Europeans have already taken action: early adopters of Midea’s split-type units are now enjoying cool 24°C summers. Those who were about to order found the stock already sold out—regretting bitterly, some even banging their heads in frustration.
As one of the hardest-hit areas during this extreme heatwave, French funeral homes have been under immense pressure. Nursing homes, police departments, and families have been calling repeatedly, asking when they can free up space to store deceased bodies. A funeral director told reporters he received 150 calls in a single day—more than he had fielded in the entire past year.
Faced with no choice, the French government has set aside its environmental slogans and urgently ordered 30,000 air conditioners to support schools and hospitals. Earlier reports even mentioned parents in France crowdfunding funds to install air conditioners in their children’s classrooms—clearly, they’ve run out of options.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1869486458022912/
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