Bruselas exigirá diversificación a las empresas para blindarse de China

The European Union is pushing for greater diversification among businesses to protect against China's growing influence. With a deficit of over €1 billion daily to China, the bloc is seeking ways to reduce this exposure and address its vulnerabilities. The European Commission plans to launch an initiative called Diversify EU, aimed at encouraging companies to have robust and flexible supply chains to safeguard their operations against frequent geopolitical conflicts.

However, some companies have been found to overlook certain risks or react too slowly when they do identify them. The proposal, still under development in the European Commission headquarters, suggests that critical sectors should have at least two suppliers, among other requirements. The tool is designed to be non-discriminatory, not limited to the relationship with China.

Brussels hopes to design the tool in the simplest way possible to minimize additional bureaucracy for businesses. The proposal aims to avoid industrial paralysis, similar to the situation in late 2022 when China blocked exports of rare earths and critical raw materials in response to rising global geopolitical tensions. The EU believes that prioritizing economic security will come at a cost, as it may hinder access to the most lucrative investments or the most competitively priced suppliers.

Therefore, the European Commission plans to include measures for providing collective support when member states, industries, or regions face unfair trade practices or excessive dependence issues mandated by the EU. Solidarity is seen as the complementary aspect to unity, and the EU must remain strong and united. Previously, the EU had encouraged the European Investment Bank and other development organizations to provide more attractive financing to EU companies actively diversifying their foreign dependence, especially in critical sectors.

Additionally, the Commission is exploring the possibility of providing direct financial support in cases of financial vulnerability. However, the details of this solidarity measure have not been confirmed. Both this measure and Diversify EU are expected to be presented in early December, ahead of the European Council summit in December to close the year.

The EU also hopes to discuss the need for new tools to defend against Chinese dependencies, such as blocking Chinese products in EU trade if economic coercion is detected. In 2024, 350,000 Chinese hybrid cars will be imported into the EU, a limit set by the EU-China agreement reached on Friday.