

Trump’s Tariffs Force Europe to Rethink Ties With China
39 snips Jul 22, 2025
In this insightful discussion, Alan Crawford, a Senior editor at Bloomberg specializing in international relations, delves into the evolving dynamics between Europe and China. He highlights how recent EU leaders' visits to Beijing signify a major reassessment of trade strategies, prompted by U.S. tariffs. The conversation also touches on the historical context of EU-China partnership, the decline in Chinese investments, and the geopolitical tensions exacerbated by the Ukraine war. Crawford emphasizes the necessity for Europe to redefine its economic alliances in this shifting landscape.
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Peak of Chinese Investments in Europe
- Chinese investments in Europe peaked in 2016 at around $40 billion, focusing on big economies like France and Germany.
- Investments included diverse assets such as football clubs and critical infrastructure like ports.
EU's Infrastructure Investment Concerns
- Chinese investment in European infrastructure, especially ports, raised concerns over potential strategic motives.
- This sparked scrutiny and led to the EU adopting investment screening laws for such purchases.
Chinese Investments Slightly Rebound
- After seven years of decline, Chinese investments in Europe saw a slight rebound in 2023 to around 10 billion euros.
- This resurgence remained low compared to the peak years but marked a shift in trend.