Decrypting Europe’s Evolving China Strategy

Background 

In the lead-up to what is expected to be a pivotal EU-China leaders' summit in Beijing, the Brussels Institute for Geopolitics (BIG) is convening a closed-door expert panel to take stock of Europe’s evolving China strategy. The conversation comes at a critical geopolitical juncture, as US-China tensions escalate and Europe finds itself caught in a volatile economic and strategic triangle. 

With the new onslaught of US tariffs and China’s recent moves to restrict access to critical rare earths essential for European industry, this session will offer a timely opportunity to evaluate whether Europe is positioned to act decisively, or whether strategic hesitation risks turning 2025 into a ‘cruel summer’ for EU-China relations ahead of the summit in Beijing.  

 Discussion Focus 

• The triple definition of ‘partner, competitor, and systemic rival’ framework first introduced in the EU’s 2019 Strategic Outlook, and its ongoing strategic relevance. 
• Whether this framing still serves Europe’s interests, or whether a new strategic vocabulary and approach are needed. 
• What’s at stake for Europe ahead of the EU-China summit and the challenges that European leader’s face.  
• The intersection of industrial policy, trade tensions, and economic security in the volatile and evolving EU-China-US triangle. 
• Europe’s strategic dependencies on critical raw materials, including rare earth mineral supply chains, and their implications for competitiveness, economic security and technological sovereignty. 
• The prospects for a genuine ‘China reset’ in the new era of great power politics with a forward-looking view to the next 50 years of diplomatic relations between China and the EU.  

Speakers

• Ambassador Martin Selmayr, former Secretary-General of the European Commission and one of the architects of the 2019 China strategy 
• Sigrid de Vries, Director General, European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) 
• Xiaoxue Martin, Research Fellow, Clingendael China Centre 
• Hans Kribbe, Senior Fellow for Geostrategy, Brussels Institute for Geopolitics (BIG) 

Format

This is an invitation-only, off-the-record roundtable. The discussion will be held under Chatham House Rule, allowing for open exchange in a trusted setting among a small group of senior colleagues. There will be 15 minutes towards the end of the session for a question and answer with the room. A photographer will also be present.  

The event will be followed by a networking reception.