Key graphics: Mapping EU-China interdependencies

Despite the fundamental differences between their political systems, the EU, its member states and China entertain close relations on different levels of politics, the economy and society. Some basic facts:

The EU is China’s number one trading partner but individual member states usually trade most with their European neighbors and export significantly more to the US than to China. The following charts illustrate mutual interdependencies and risky interconectedness:

This graphics section is part of the MERICS Paper on China "Towards Principled Competition in Europe's China Policy: Drawing lessons from the Covid-19 crisis." Continue with the next chapter on "Protecting the EU's political sovereignty and unity" or go back to the table of contents.

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Key graphics: Mapping EU-China interdependencies

Despite the fundamental differences between their political systems, the EU, its member states and China entertain close relations on different levels of politics, the economy and society. Some basic facts:

The EU is China’s number one trading partner but individual member states usually trade most with their European neighbors and export significantly more to the US than to China. The following charts illustrate mutual interdependencies and risky interconectedness:

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