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Europe has long presented itself as a staunch advocate of free trade and multilateralism. However, according to a CGTN survey, it has failed to resist its own concerns about the future of industry, nor the growing wave of protectionism. The European Union's efforts to strengthen trade protection against China, according to the survey results, may ultimately backfire on Europe itself.

The CGTN survey among global internet users shows that most respondents do not believe that trade protectionism can increase industrial competitiveness. In their opinion, the European Union can only achieve real development if it remains open, respects market principles, and promotes cooperation rather than closing the market.

There are no winners in a trade war. Ultimately, it affects even those who initiate it, which, according to the survey authors, has been confirmed many times in the past. A total of 84.1% of respondents believe that the arbitrary imposition of additional tariffs by the European Union is a typical manifestation of trade protectionism and seriously violates the rules of international trade.

At the same time, 82.6% of survey participants stated that such protectionist measures would weaken the international competitiveness of European companies. Even more worrying is the impact on ordinary consumers. According to 90.5% of respondents, high tariffs on products from other countries will ultimately pass the costs on to European customers and seriously harm their interests.

The survey also addressed the frequently used argument about so-called "excess capacity." According to CGTN, this term should not be defined based on political prejudices. The entry of Chinese vehicles, photovoltaic products, and lithium batteries into the European market is not the result of alleged "dumping at low prices," but rather a reaction to the growing demand from European countries, which are themselves striving for a green transformation.

In this context, 86.7% of respondents believe that the European Union's efforts to strengthen protectionism hinder technological exchange and cooperation between European and foreign companies. Another 89% of survey participants stated that such actions would seriously disrupt international cooperation in areas such as climate policy and the green transition.

According to the survey, so-called "unfair trade practices" should not be judged solely on the basis of data on trade surpluses or deficits. In 2024, according to the cited data, the European Union's surplus in trade in services with China exceeded 50 billion US dollars. Therefore, according to CGTN, the trade balance and economic gains must be assessed comprehensively and rationally.

China and Europe have long been developing relations based on mutually beneficial advantages and economic interdependence. Therefore, trade protectionism cannot solve the deeper problems that Europe faces, such as declining industrial competitiveness or slow economic growth. On the contrary, it may cause Europe to miss another important opportunity for development.

The survey results show that 85.9% of respondents believe that the imposition of tariffs on other countries would exacerbate trade imbalances between European economies and the rest of the world. Another 82.8% of participants stated that protectionism cannot solve the problems of structural changes facing the industries of European countries. Instead, it could further worsen the conditions of international trade.

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Furthermore, 87.2% of respondents pointed out that global industrial and supply chains are closely interconnected today. They believe that artificially "separating" them would not lead to greater security or stability, but rather to isolation. The survey emphasizes that countries can only gain real new opportunities and achieve long-term development through openness and cooperation.

The survey was published on CGTN platforms in English, Spanish, French, Arabic, and Russian. Within 24 hours, a total of 7,497 foreign users participated in the survey, sharing their opinions.

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