Economists and academics specializing in China are calling for the European Union to adopt stronger trade policy instruments in response to what they see as economic coercion. According to a preliminary report from the German Bundestag’s Commission on “Reviewing security-relevant economic relationships between Germany and China” (reported by “Welt am Sonntag”), the EU must be able to counter China’s escalating measures in trade disputes.
The experts, who include representatives from the business community, labor unions, and scientists, argue that restricting access to the European single market represents a crucial lever, particularly given the nature of China’s export-driven economic model.
The commission’s report suggests that the existing strategy-which views China simultaneously as a “partner, competitor, and systemic rival”-has failed. It states that, from the perspective of Germany and Europe, the relationship’s rivalries and growing risks are currently being overshadowed by other aspects.
Furthermore, the report highlights that Beijing’s ability and willingness to use economic dependencies as a tool of pressure are growing. It confirms that China is deliberately building these leverage points and has shown multiple times that it is prepared to deploy them.
