Behind the scenes, Europe is steadily bracing for a potential trade conflict with China. In Brussels, policymakers have adopted a firm resolve to shield the continent’s industrial core from a second wave of economic disruption being dubbed “China Shock 2.0.”
With several sectors already suffering significant job losses, the European Union’s strategy of building resilience and reducing strategic dependencies now incorporates deterrent measures. Brussels aims to develop leverage and credible countermeasures that would enable a proportional response should China resort to coercive trade practices.
Some analysts argue the two sides are already engaged in a trade war, while others believe both are merely preparing for an unavoidable confrontation. A further camp maintains that such a conflict must be avoided regardless of the cost.
Yet a pressing question is gaining traction: could Europe actually emerge victorious?
Few officials in Brussels echo the confidence of former U.S. President Donald Trump, who declared in March 2018 that “trade wars are good, and easy to win.”