果然不出默克尔所料，27国枪口全都瞄准中国，欧洲正滑向第三世界

Core Viewpoint - Europe is experiencing an unprecedented contradiction, attempting to defend economic sovereignty through an "open strategic autonomy" while losing direction in trade protectionism and showing strength against China [1] Group 1: EU's Regulatory Actions - In 2023, the EU implemented the "Foreign Subsidies Regulation," granting the European Commission the power to review subsidies to non-EU companies, with all five deep investigations initiated targeting Chinese firms [3] - The EU has conducted multiple investigations into Chinese companies, resulting in the withdrawal of Chinese firms from public procurement bids and extended review periods for several mergers and acquisitions [3] - The EU's "de-risking" strategy emphasizes reducing dependency on China, with new legislation like the "Critical Raw Materials Act" aiming to limit reliance on any single country to 65% for strategic resources [3][5] Group 2: Economic Challenges in Europe - The EU is facing structural economic challenges, with Germany experiencing two consecutive years of recession and France's per capita wealth ranking dropping from 5th to 26th globally [5] - The Eurozone's GDP growth is projected to be only 0.2% in 2024, with manufacturing PMI remaining below the growth threshold for several months [5] - The EU's R&D investment as a percentage of GDP is only 2.2%, lagging behind the US and China, indicating a lack of innovation in emerging fields like AI and biotechnology [6] Group 3: Trade Relations and Strategic Autonomy - The EU is attempting to "choose sides" in trade, exemplified by the signing of the "Critical Minerals Agreement" with the US, which excludes China from supply chains [10] - Despite a shift towards a tougher stance on China, internal divisions exist within the EU, with Eastern European countries favoring alignment with the US while Germany and France advocate for pragmatic cooperation [10] - The EU's economic ties with China remain strong, with trade volume expected to reach $785.8 billion in 2024, and significant revenue contributions from Chinese markets for major European companies [10] Group 4: Business Resistance to Policy Changes - A survey indicates that 56% of German companies plan to expand their operations in China, highlighting resistance to the EU's tougher stance [12] - The potential economic loss for Germany could reach €36 billion annually if the EU were to decouple from China [12] - Cooperation in green transition areas is significant, with Chinese solar components accounting for 90% of EU imports, essential for achieving carbon neutrality goals [12] Group 5: Perception and Cultural Exchange - The EU's perception of China is influenced by the Ukraine crisis, with calls for China to pressure Russia for a ceasefire, while overlooking its own security policy failures [14] - Interest in learning Chinese among EU youth is declining, and cultural exchanges are affected by stereotypes and media portrayals [14] - The shift in EU's China policy reflects a projection of declining economic competitiveness and geopolitical pressures, with protectionist measures failing to address core issues of innovation and market fragmentation [14]