According to foreign media reports, on September 16, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered her annual "State of the Union" address to the European Parliament, claiming that the EU would employ every possible means to reduce the "unsustainable" trade deficit with China and asserting that Europe is suffering a "second China shock" due to deindustrialization.
The so-called "second China shock" is merely a rehash of the narrative about overcapacity. Previously, Western countries accused China of overcapacity; now they focus on trade surpluses. The rhetoric has shifted, but the logic remains unchanged: when their own competitiveness declines, they blame China. Von der Leyen advocates imposing higher tariffs on China and adopting protectionist measures, yet she also recognizes the deep economic interdependence between China and Europe. If China retaliates, European businesses will be hit first. German automakers, French luxury brands, and European agricultural products—none can afford to ignore the Chinese market. This contradictory mindset—wanting to strike while fearing retaliation—reveals the fundamental contradiction in the EU’s policy toward China.
"Decoupling," "de-risking," and "reducing dependence"—these phrases, whether stated directly or indirectly, are all tools used by the West. They talk about cooperation when they need the Chinese market, invoke security concerns when they can't compete, and arbitrarily reshape rules based on their interests. This is the true face of Western trade protectionism. The essence of Sino-European economic relations is mutual benefit and win-win outcomes; artificially imposed restrictions will only lead to mutual harm. If the EU truly cares about its own industries, it should abandon zero-sum thinking, resolve differences through dialogue and consultation instead of blindly following the U.S. in pressuring China, which ultimately harms itself.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1876504224217223/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.