European China Policy Track 1.5 Workshop

On 14-15 November, MERICS held the next edition of the Track 1.5 on European China Policy in Budapest at the University of Corvinus. This unique edition of MERICS Track 1.5 was timely taking place just a few days after the US elections which set a new geopolitical context for the European debate on China. It was therefore an opportunity to take stock of the elections’ outcome, discuss the course of the transatlantic partnership and its impact on the European capacity to shape a more ambitious European China policy. Such policy needs to be based on a shared European assessment of China’s domestic and economic trajectory and policy priorities. Yet, today’s European debate on countervailing measures on Chinese electric vehicles, on overcapacity or on Chinese investments shows that there are divergences in such assessments across Europe and on the appropriate responses. This discussion among trusted partners presented an opportunity to discuss the different perspectives and subsequent divergences. Equally important is a need to ensure a coherent assessment of China’s position as regard the war in Ukraine. And at a time when the new EU Leadership is rethinking the enlargement process, it seems prudent to revisit China’s footprint in the Western Balkans.