欧企加速“去中国”，“这能怪中国吗，得怪欧洲...”

Core Viewpoint - European companies are increasing investments in China despite political concerns about dependency on Chinese manufacturing, highlighting a paradox where businesses seek to leverage China's competitive advantages while governments express worries about trade imbalances and reliance on China [1][2]. Group 1: Investment Trends - European manufacturers are ramping up investments in China, particularly in sectors like chemicals, automotive, machinery, and pharmaceuticals, often to establish China as an export base and R&D center [1][2]. - The European Union's direct investment in China has been on the rise, with a record €3.6 billion in greenfield investments in the second quarter of last year [5][6]. - Approximately 25% of surveyed European companies are shifting more production to China, with localization in pharmaceuticals (80%), machinery (46%), and medical devices (40%) [4]. Group 2: Competitive Landscape - Companies like Clariant are expanding operations in China, with Clariant investing CHF 180 million (approximately RMB 1.6 billion) to expand its facility in Huizhou [4]. - The competitive landscape is shifting as European firms face challenges in competing with local Chinese companies due to lower costs and efficient supply chains [2][4]. - The trend of relocating production to China is partly driven by rising costs in Europe, especially in energy, making China a more attractive production base [8]. Group 3: Employment and Economic Impact - European companies are facing layoffs, particularly in the automotive sector, while simultaneously investing heavily in China, indicating a shift in focus [9]. - For instance, ZF Friedrichshafen plans to cut 7,600 jobs in Europe while expanding operations in China [9]. - The shift towards China for production and R&D may lead to further job losses in Europe, raising concerns about the long-term impact on local employment and industrial competitiveness [9][12]. Group 4: Policy and Regulatory Environment - The European Union is tightening regulations on investments and procurement from non-EU countries, particularly targeting Chinese firms, which may create barriers to trade [13]. - There are calls for Europe to address its own competitiveness issues, such as reducing regulations and energy costs, to better compete with China [12]. - The EU is also considering requiring Chinese companies to invest locally in Europe to access the market, reflecting a growing tension in trade relations [12][13].