The China Factor: Brussels and Beijing in the Age of Trump

With the United States turning into an unreliable ally to Europe, the question “And what about China?” is the almost reflexive response to the new situation. Answers, however, are neither easy nor clear-cut.
China’s de facto support for Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine as well as its unchanged detrimental economic policies and trade practices have led to increasingly antagonistic relations in recent years. Nonetheless, Chinese diplomats keep pushing the message of “mutually beneficial cooperation”, and some in the EU, including Spain, are advocating closer ties. With our panelists, we dig deeper into the cover story of our IPQ Spring 2025 issue and explore the relevance of the “China factor” for the EU’s position in the world.