Beijing Post

The World's Source of Goods
Monday, Jun 23, 2025

EU Urged to Pursue Digital Collaboration with China Amid Competitiveness Challenges

Recognizing a digital lag behind the US and China, the EU seeks strategic cooperation with China to boost economic performance.
In a comprehensive report underscoring the European Union's competitive challenges, the bloc concedes a notable digital lag behind the United States and China.

The report cautions that both nations have surged ahead in the deployment of artificial intelligence technologies, as highlighted by sources including Bloomberg.

The statements reiterate findings from a broader evaluation led by former European Central Bank president, Mario Draghi, which noted that from 2008 to 2021, nearly 30% of European unicorn startups—those with valuations exceeding $1 billion—relocated their headquarters abroad.

This has underscored challenges in retaining burgeoning enterprises within Europe.

However, the EU report has been critiqued for mistakenly citing trade relations with China as a primary cause of its economic hurdles.

As reported by Bloomberg, the document alleges that competitive pricing of Chinese exports, often supported by state subsidies, could severely impact segments of EU manufacturing.

While acknowledging these challenges, the EU's report presents an opportune moment for introspection, spotlighting misconceptions surrounding economic and trade engagement with China.

Such misunderstandings contribute to the EU's ongoing struggles to enhance business appeal, nurture growth in its digital sectors, and bolster sustainable economic competitiveness.

The EU's recent actions, including an anti-subsidy probe against Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers and the application of protective tariffs, contradict desires of some member states and several European businesses, thus undermining cooperative investment prospects.

These protectionist measures inadvertently reveal deeper economic discrepancies within the EU structure.

Meanwhile, the US's stance on Chinese products, framed by geopolitical intentions, further complicates the EU's path to resolving its internal economic challenges.

The report advocates for pragmatic economic and trade relations with China, emphasizing potential benefits for the EU's economic resilience and competitive standing.

A commitment to market-driven principles and open cooperation could prevent further strain on bilateral relations.

A particularly promising area is the digital economy, where untapped potential exists for Sino-European collaboration.

Such engagement offers mutual benefits, enhancing the EU's business environment and addressing imminent economic challenges.

Firstly, China's swift advancements in digital technologies present the EU with crucial insights and references, aiding its own digital transformation and fostering innovation-led growth.

Secondly, cooperative endeavors in data security and privacy could enable both regions to confront global digital governance challenges.

Given the interconnectedness of the digital economy, establishing robust collaboration mechanisms is increasingly vital.

In August, inaugurating discussions under a China-EU Cross-Border Data Flow Communication Mechanism, exemplifies steps toward concerted efforts in managing sectorial evolution.

Finally, augmented China-EU cooperation is set to open new business avenues, spurring technological exchange and industrial synergy with balanced benefits.

Joint technological ventures and shared market access can enhance global competitiveness for both regions.

_The author is a reporter with the Global Times.

bizopinion@globaltimes.com.cn_
AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Gold Emerges as Global Safe Haven Amid Uncertainty
Rising Bond Yields Increase Pressure on Bank of Japan
China Releases Draft Rules on Cross-Border Automotive Data Transfers
Rice Prices Surge in Japan Amid Supply Issues and Government Response
Trump Plans Visit to China Following Call with Xi Jinping
Xi Jinping and Donald Trump Hold First Call Since Trade War Began
China Accuses US of Violating Trade Truce
Cambodia Decides to Bring Border Dispute with Thailand to World Court
Center-Left Candidate Projected to Win South Korean Presidency
Trump’s China Strategy Remains a Geopolitical Puzzle
Bangkok Ranked World's Top City for Remote Work in 2025
EU Central Bank Pushes to Replace US Dollar with Euro as World’s Main Currency
Philippines Signals Openness to China Talks Amid South China Sea Tensions
China and Vietnam Resume Cross-Border Passenger Train Service After Five-Year Hiatus
Hong Kong International Airport's Terminal 2 Set for Phased Reopening Starting September
Cathay Pacific Issues Apology After Toddler Served Wine on Flight
US President Threatens Apple with 25% Tariff on iPhones Not Made in America
Taiwan claims China is using cash to win over developing nations
Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki Erupts Again, Spewing Ash Cloud over Flores Island
A Chinese company made solar tiles that look way nicer than regular panels!
Rodrigo Duterte Arrested and Transferred to The Hague Amid ICC Charges
U.S. and Philippine Forces Test High-Powered Microwave Weapons in Joint Exercise
Indian jet shootdown: the all-robot legion behind China’s PL-15E missiles
Hong Kong Slams U.S. Senators Over Sanctions Bill, Calls Move ‘Reprehensible’
The Chinese Dragon: The True Winner in the India-Pakistan Clash
China Rebukes US Trade War Tactics Amid Ongoing Tensions
NVIDIA to Open R&D Center in China as Shanghai Promises Tax Incentives
Surge in Visa-Free Entries Boosts International Tourism to Shenzhen
Why Saudi Arabia Rolled Out a Purple Carpet for Donald Trump Instead of Red
Nissan Plans to Cut Over 10,000 Additional Jobs Worldwide
Brazil’s President Aims to Strengthen Ties with China Amid US Trade Tensions
U.S. and China Reach Preliminary Trade Agreement Amid Ongoing Tensions
Macau's Renowned 'House of Dancing Water' Relaunches with a Modern Makeover
Trump says U.S. and China negotiated "total reset" in tariff talks
Trump, in a major concession, says the tariff on China should be 80% — but will leave it up to Bessent
First From China: Zhao Xintong Wins the Snooker World Championship
Beijing Says U.S. Is ‘Reaching Out’ for Tariff Talks Amid Soaring Trade Tensions
Warren Buffett to Step Down as Berkshire CEO After Nearly 60 Years
The Rush to the White Gold: Global Investment Surge in Natural Hydrogen Exploration
Huawei Ramps Up Testing of Powerful New AI Chip in Challenge to Nvidia Amid U.S. Sanctions
U.S. Economy Shrink in Trump’s First Quarter as Tariff Policy Raises Questions
President Trump contacts Jeff Bezos after reports of Amazon considering listing tariff surcharges; company clarifies no such plan for main platform
Singapore Politicians Warn Against Foreign Interference in Election
Massive Explosion at Iran's Bandar Abbas Port Linked to Suspicious Chemical Shipments
"China has survived for five thousand years, most of it without the United States as a market, and it can easily continue to survive without the U.S. market for another five thousand years — no problem," said a China analyst.
California Surpasses Japan to Become the World’s Fourth-Largest Economy
Peter Navarro: The Man Behind Trump’s Tariff Madness
US Federal Reserve Chair Issues Warning on Tariff Impact
China, China, China!
×