The next industrial revolution will be built with microbes as much as machines. China understands this. Europe still has the science to compete but must act quickly before industrial leadership slips away again
The EU is right to raise its ambitions on the electrification rate—but the target is highly stretching. Only a more aggressive approach will suffice
Europe has a China problem and pretending otherwise is making it worse. Chinese cheap exports and a monopoly on rare earths are not just economic irritants, but leverage wielded deliberately. Europeans can no longer just de-risk. They need a deterrence strategy with teeth
Germany’s political centre is crumbling—but its leaders appear unable to get ahead of the impending crisis
Europe is learning to adapt to a hotter climate. It should take the same approach to economic dependencies: manage the consequences, but also change the conditions that created them
China is already the undisputed champion of traditional manufacturing. But China’s leadership wants more: it aspires to lead in the next generation of production by 2035 – and biomanufacturing has emerged as a priority for China’s economic security, resilience and strategic autonomy. Europe has seen this movie before. As with solar panels or…
ECFR polling suggests significant public support not only for tougher German policy on China but also for investment in renewables—tackling twin problems together
The next industrial revolution will be built with microbes as much as machines. China understands this. Europe still has the science to compete but must act quickly before industrial leadership slips away again
Reflecting on the findings from our previous events and drawing on Mark Leonard’s latest IPPR paper, Britain’s strategy for a decade of danger: Our nation, our continent, our world, the discussion will examine competing visions for Britain’s role in the world—from renewed reliance on the US, to a more globally diversified approach, to a strategic pivot…
As the UK pursues its ambition to become a “clean energy superpower”, it will have to navigate working with major geopolitical partners, like China and the EU, and the strategic trade-offs involved with aligning closer with one over the other. China has become an increasingly important supplier, investor, and manufacturer across key clean technologies,…
L’Ufficio di Roma dello European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) ha organizzato un briefing online dal titolo “From vulnerability to leverage: Europe’s defenses against Chinese economic coercion”, che si è tenuto il 21 maggio 2026 dalle ore 17:00 alle 18:00. Alla base del confronto c’era il policy brief “Beijing hold’em: European cards against Chinese…
At a moment when rising oil prices and continued supply disruptions are raising the stakes of reliance on fossil fuels, decarbonising the global shipping industry is about more than curbing emissions—it is also about strategic diversification as geopolitical and geoeconomic tensions grow. The Net-Zero Framework (NZF) presents the strongest maritime decarbonisation proposal, designed to drive switching to low-emission fuels while also ensuring a predictable stream of revenues…
The EU is right to raise its ambitions on the electrification rate—but the target is highly stretching. Only a more aggressive approach will suffice
The next industrial revolution will be built with microbes as much as machines. China understands this. Europe still has the science to compete but must act quickly before industrial leadership slips away again
The IMO’s Net-Zero Framework is critical for EU competitiveness and the clearest path to decarbonise shipping. African backing may prove decisive as American and Gulf pressure stalls progress
Europeans must urgently implement a “fast energy” programme to speed up access to energy to power AI—and remain competitive in the world
Europe has a China problem and pretending otherwise is making it worse. Chinese cheap exports and a monopoly on rare earths are not just economic irritants, but leverage wielded deliberately. Europeans can no longer just de-risk. They need a deterrence strategy with teeth
Europe’s pioneering wind turbine manufacturers are grappling with Chinese competition at home and abroad—but it is not too late to save them
The industrial heartland of Germany and central Europe is at risk from the second “China shock”. Here is how decision-makers can save industry and avert social and political strife
European policymakers need to answer the ‘trust question’ of how far they want Chinese companies involved in green industries such as solar energy, batteries, and electric vehicles
Germany’s political centre is crumbling—but its leaders appear unable to get ahead of the impending crisis
Europe is learning to adapt to a hotter climate. It should take the same approach to economic dependencies: manage the consequences, but also change the conditions that created them
ECFR polling suggests significant public support not only for tougher German policy on China but also for investment in renewables—tackling twin problems together
The EU is right to raise its ambitions on the electrification rate—but the target is highly stretching. Only a more aggressive approach will suffice
Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz are disrupting global energy flows. Europe must overhaul its energy strategy to focus on renewables, LNG, nuclear power and reducing oil dependency—and finally commit to safeguarding its long-term security
Biosolutions help boost defence, resilience and competitiveness—and Europeans are leading the way. But they need to double down quickly to avoid yet another area of Chinese industrial dominance
Like-minded countries are starting to protect themselves from US unpredictability and Chinese dominance by forging new coalitions. This will only work if they limit their solo deals with Beijing
With the EU-Mercosur deal signed after 25 years of negotiations, free trade advocates in Europe may feel triumphant. But their narrative is no longer convincing. As China undercuts industry worldwide, it’s time to refresh the open market story
As 2026 begins with a bang, Europeans are well-advised to reframe de-risking as re-engagement, unleash the single energy market and focus on electrification
German opposition to the EU’s target to ban combustion engines by 2035 risks locking in emissions and ceding the EV market to China. The bloc needs to convince its member states that investment in electric is worthwhile
China is already the undisputed champion of traditional manufacturing. But China’s leadership wants more: it aspires to lead in the next generation of production by 2035 – and biomanufacturing has emerged as a priority for China’s economic security, resilience and strategic autonomy. Europe has seen this movie before. As with solar panels or…
At a moment when rising oil prices and continued supply disruptions are raising the stakes of reliance on fossil fuels, decarbonising the global shipping industry is about more than curbing emissions—it is also about strategic diversification as geopolitical and geoeconomic tensions grow. The Net-Zero Framework (NZF) presents the strongest maritime decarbonisation proposal, designed to drive switching to low-emission fuels while also ensuring a predictable stream of revenues…
L’Ufficio di Roma dello European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) ha organizzato un briefing online dal titolo “From vulnerability to leverage: Europe’s defenses against Chinese economic coercion”, che si è tenuto il 21 maggio 2026 dalle ore 17:00 alle 18:00. Alla base del confronto c’era il policy brief “Beijing hold’em: European cards against Chinese…
Reflecting on the findings from our previous events and drawing on Mark Leonard’s latest IPPR paper, Britain’s strategy for a decade of danger: Our nation, our continent, our world, the discussion will examine competing visions for Britain’s role in the world—from renewed reliance on the US, to a more globally diversified approach, to a strategic pivot…
As the UK pursues its ambition to become a “clean energy superpower”, it will have to navigate working with major geopolitical partners, like China and the EU, and the strategic trade-offs involved with aligning closer with one over the other. China has become an increasingly important supplier, investor, and manufacturer across key clean technologies,…
China now poses a deindustrialisation-level shock to Europe’s economic future. The external impact of Chinese overcapacity, involution, and Beijing’s technological leadership and supply-chain dominance in critical future technologies is presenting an existential threat to Europe’s industrial base. The EU is weighing new measures in response, including stricter investment screening, European preference in procurement, a…
