Published on
01/06/2026 - 8:00 GMT+2
China is Europe’s primary source of strategic dependence.
Europe’s trade deficit with Beijing hit €359.9 billion last year, up 2.7 per cent from 2024. In 2025, EU imports from China totalled €559.4 billion, up 6.4 per cent from 2024, accounting for 22.3 per cent of all imports.
The EU relies on third countries for 204 products, 64 of which come from China, according to a 2024 Commission study. Currently, China supplies the bloc with 100 per cent of heavy rare earth elements, 98 per cent of solar panels, 54.4 per cent of machinery and vehicles, and 9.8 per cent of chemicals.
