Moreover, Europeans should be partners of choice for the Gulf monarchies. This is due to the competitive edge of Europe’s know-how around the energy transition, but also existing industrial and technological ties between the regions and geographic proximity. Some European actors have sought to explore these complementary energy interests through

Europeans need to make the considerable weight of the single market economy felt at the negotiating table but currently individual member states lack sufficient power to really negotiate with China. They need leverage to negotiate technology transfer, and must create a framework that enables them to consider Chinese investments from a position of s

Next, the EU, member states and key businesses should jointly increase investment in domestic battery production and R&D for next generation batteries. This is to regain an edge in core technologies that are enabling China to corner this market. They should expand initiatives such as the European Battery Alliance and IPCEI (cross-border project

With additional tariffs making direct exports less profitable, the scramble for the European market is not just about selling cars made in China into Europe—but about moving into Europe. Numerous Chinese brands are considering localising final assembly in the EU. BYD decided to build its first major passenger car production facility in Hungary. O

Starting in the 1980s, German carmakers were among the first foreign companies to gain a foothold in China. The operating principle was the joint venture, which was a perquisite for foreign automotive companies to gain access to the growing Chinese market in exchange for transferring technology and knowledge. Hailed as a massive success for both si