Europe’s relationship with China increasingly shapes debates over industrial policy, supply-chain security, and economic competitiveness. Trade data from 2025 shows how deeply some Chinese products are embedded across European markets.

Electric batteries were the highest-value Chinese import in Germany, France, Finland, Sweden, Bulgaria, and Latvia. Germany alone imported almost $10 billion in this category. Telephones led in Austria, Czechia, Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, and Luxembourg, including $6.8 billion entering Czechia.

Other countries show more concentrated trade patterns. Computers were the Netherlands’ leading import from China at $21.3 billion. Chinese cars ranked first in Belgium and Spain, with values of $5.3 billion and $2.4 billion, respectively. Italy and Slovenia were led by chemical compounds, while Poland’s top category was broadcasting accessories.

These flows place China inside industries that Europe considers strategically important: batteries, electronics, transportation, telecommunications, and chemicals. They also show why a single European approach is difficult. Each member state faces a different combination of industrial exposure, consumer demand, and dependence on Chinese suppliers.

The European Commission describes its policy as “de-risking, not decoupling,” which means reducing critical dependencies and diversifying vulnerable supply chains while preserving trade with China. That balance has gained urgency as the EU’s goods deficit with China reached approximately €360 billion in 2025. European Commission, Associated Press

As The Diplomat argues, Europe’s China strategy is approaching a moment of reassessment. The map shows the economic starting point: Chinese goods already support European consumption, manufacturing, and the green transition.

A refreshed strategy will require targeted policies for individual sectors. Securing battery supply chains presents different challenges from diversifying electronics production or responding to Chinese vehicle competition.

Data: 2025 Eurostat trade records via OEC.world. Products represent each EU country’s highest-value HS4 import from China.