EU and France label China a strategic threat to Europe

French President Emmanuel Macron affirmed that China poses a real military and economic threat to Europe, warning that the growing trade deficit with Beijing costs tens of thousands of jobs each year and leaves the EU lagging in technology and innovation. He highlighted the disparity in industrial subsidies, noting that China supports its sectors about eight times more than Europe, endangering competitiveness in areas such as chemicals and automobiles.

EU foreign ministers echoed the concerns, describing China as a “critical long‑term strategic challenge” because of its “asymmetric advantages” in trade imbalances, control of rare‑earth supplies essential for defence and green technologies, and its partnership with Russia. The ministers warned that Beijing’s ambitions and assertiveness will increasingly affect the EU’s security, competitiveness, economic security and resilience, and cited China’s role in enabling Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Both statements call for a rebalance of EU‑China trade ties and greater investment in European technology to counter the perceived strategic threat.