Germans emerge as Europe’s biggest China hawks as economic pain begins to bite

A recent survey has revealed that Germans are among Europe's most hawkish voters when it comes to China, with a significant portion viewing the nation as a rival or adversary. This shift in sentiment could indicate that Germany's citizens might be receptive to adopting a tougher approach towards China on trade. Currently, 49% of Germans consider China as a primary rival or adversary, surpassing France's 43%.

Only 38% of Germans have a positive view of China, labeling it a partner or ally, compared to 65% of Spaniards and 62% of Bulgarians. Germany, as China's biggest trade and investment partner in Europe, has experienced a manufacturing slowdown attributed to China's industrial rise. This has led to a loss of around 420,000 jobs in Germany's manufacturing sector between 2019 and 2025, with the car industry bearing the highest costs due to competition from Chinese manufacturers.

Despite Berlin's reluctance to implement new measures, such as anti-subsidy duties on Chinese-made electric vehicles, a growing number of German citizens, including those from the Christian Democratic Union and Social Democratic parties, are increasingly viewing China as an adversary or rival. The European Council on Foreign Relations' report emphasizes that even those reluctant to take action against China are not opposed to a more hawkish policy, given the growing economic concerns.