A POLITICO European Pulse survey of six major EU countries found that 29 percent of those surveyed saw China as a threat, while 36 percent felt the same about the U.S. However, China was seen as a competitor by 43 percent, while the U.S. was viewed as a competitor by 24 percent.
“The U.S. has pushed itself into a situation where the Chinese can lean back and wait,” said one EU diplomat, who was granted anonymity to speak candidly. “They are not reliable partners anymore and are not doing reasonable, predictable politics. The Chinese are waiting for their time to really step in and fill that gap.”
Divisions over China are also present in the European Commission.
Industry Commissioner Stéphane Séjourné, the architect of the IAA, also acknowledged the need to keep doors open to China.
“We need it. We need foreign investment,” he said at a POLITICO event in Barcelona earlier last week.
Gill, the Commission spokesperson, called the relationship with China “one of the most strategically important and one of the most challenging we have at the same time.”
While the EU is divided over whether to treat China as a threat or an opportunity, leaders like Spain’s Sánchez are striking deals — and Beijing is gaining allies inside the bloc.
“Spain stands ready to play a constructive role in bridging differences between China and Europe in economy and trade, and building stronger China-Europe relations,” the Chinese foreign ministry said after Chinese Premier Li Qiang said Beijing will import more from Spain and encourage companies to invest more in the Mediterranean country.