ECFR poll: Germans have the highest level of suspicion towards China, reaching 49%

Recent polling data from the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) shows that among the 15 European countries surveyed, Germans have the highest level of suspicion of China (that is, they think it is a competitor or a conflict relationship), reaching an overall level of 49%. The proportion of respondents who trust China (that is, they consider it an ally or necessary partner) is 38%, and the remaining 13% said "don't know."

As high as 60% of supporters of Germany's ruling coalition, the Christian Democratic Union, the Christian Social Union and the Social Democratic Party, regard China as an opponent or competitor. Supporters of the right-wing populist Alternative for Germany (AfD) party are the least skeptical of China, at 39%. The Left Party and Green Party were at 45% and 58% respectively.

In contrast, most people elsewhere in Europe still regard China as a "necessary partner" or even an ally - 56% in Italy and 65% in Spain hold this opinion.

French respondents are closest to the Germans in their level of skepticism, at 43%.

Berlin no longer prevents EU from adopting tougher China policy

According to the official website of the European Council on Foreign Relations, the "China Shock" has hit Germany particularly hard: Between 2019 and 2025, the German manufacturing industry lost about 420,000 jobs, and it is still decreasing at a rate of 10,000 per month. The auto industry has paid the highest price, being squeezed both at home and abroad by increasingly dominant Chinese manufacturers.

The report stated that the hesitation of German policymakers has long hindered Berlin from taking a tougher economic approach to China. When France, Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands and Spain recently urged the European Commission to take tougher measures against China and speed up trade defense actions, Germany not only refused to join, but even called for strengthening industrial ties with Beijing.

However, things are changing. When EU leaders met in June 2026, they supported strengthening the existing trade defense toolbox against China, including the "Buy European" clause in the "Industrial Acceleration Act" and restrictions on high-risk Chinese technologies. Germany no longer played the role of an obstructionist, but cautiously expressed support for this new direction.

Support the development of renewable energy to reduce dependence on China

The poll also showed that German voters want to see investment in renewable energy, with 57% supporting what amounts to a push to fully electrify the economy. Among the respondents from various EU countries, 61% expressed support for prioritizing the development of renewable energy and clean technology industries.

The European Council on Foreign Relations believes that this kind of public support should help convince leaders of various countries, including Germany, that they should take action to limit the growing dependence on China and prevent it from being used as a weapon by China. They can accelerate the energy transition while reducing risks for the cleantech sector by supporting local European industries from wind power to batteries. Failure to do so will cost governments electorally.