TODAY - How Far Can Europe Push its China Toolkit?

Research evidence excerpt

TODAY - How Far Can Europe Push its China Toolkit?

EUROPE | Sustainability & Transition

Strategy June 12, 2026

TODAY - How Far Can Europe Push its China

Toolkit?

Europe’s China strategy moves to the top of the agenda at next week’s EU

Council (18-19 June), where leaders will test whether a tougher economic

security toolkit can translate into real action. Spanning trade, investment

and cybersecurity, credibility hinges on alignment and enforcement. We are

joined by Tobias Gehrke (ECFR) to assess what this means for investors

exposed to China-linked supply chains. Join us 12th June, 2PM UKT / 3PM

CET. REGISTER

Background

The EU is entering a more assertive phase in its approach to China, driven by rising concern

over industrial overcapacity, supply chain dependency and economic coercion. What has

historically been a fragmented set of policies is now being consolidated into a more coherent

economic security framework, spanning trade defence, foreign subsidies and cybersecurity

regulation.

This shift will be tested at the 18-19 June European Council, where leaders are expected to set

direction on how far Europe is willing to go in deploying these tools. Recent measures, from

restrictions on high-risk suppliers in critical infrastructure to efforts to reduce dependency in

strategic supply chains, highlight a clear move toward a more interventionist stance.

However, execution remains uncertain. Political alignment, particularly in Germany, will be

critical, as will the EU’s ability to enforce existing tools and build credible deterrence. Against

this backdrop, we are joined by Tobias Gehrke (ECFR) to assess how effective this evolving

toolkit is likely to be in practice and what comes next.

Listen in to learn more!

Discussion Points