Partner and Strategic Competitor: Evaluating the EU’s Shifting Relationship with China

Abstract

China has risen to become both a prominent competitor and collaborator to the European Union (EU). The EU’s predominant concern in this relationship centers around China’s increasing economic engagement through investment and trade in Europe. Meanwhile, European firms in China experience a lack of reciprocity in being able to do business there. The EU, itself facing internal challenges, must coordinate to address both these economic concerns as well as other issues such as security challenges China poses as well as its human rights and environmental record. This Task Force aims to analyze key issues in the EU-China relationship: 1. Evaluate China’s economic presence in Europe 2. Address European concerns on entering the Chinese market 3. Compare and analyze different member states’ responses to Chinese investment 4. Assess possible security threats China may pose to the EU 5. Evaluate possible EU concerns on China in the human rights and environment spheres