European companies are insufficiently preparing for supply disruptions from China — Politico Europe
In Brussels, Belgium, measures are being prepared to reduce the EU’s dependence on individual suppliers, but European companies are insufficiently preparing for possible supply disruptions from China. This is indicated by a survey of 228 companies operating in Europe, reviewed by Politico Europe.
The survey was conducted from November 2025 to January 2026. Its participants are aware of the impact of geopolitical events on business, but few of them have taken concrete steps to prepare for new crises.
Preparing for risks
Russia’s war — as an aggressor state — against Ukraine has already affected, or is expected to affect, the operations of 81% of the surveyed companies. At the same time, only 10% of respondents reported specific steps to prepare for a similar course of events around Taiwan. Another 59% have not prepared for this and do not plan to do so.
Only 24% of survey participants plan to reduce their dependence on Chinese suppliers. About one-third of companies are considering building strategic stockpiles of critical raw materials. Chinese export restrictions, including those on rare-earth metals, have already exposed these dependencies.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Impact of trade restrictions
Nearly one-third of the surveyed companies reported a negative impact from trade and technology restrictions in relations between the United States and China. Among businesses operating in China, about half of respondents gave this answer.
US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are expected to meet later in September. One of the topics of the talks may be China’s suspended export restrictions.
European Union measures
In Brussels, a diversification instrument is being prepared to reduce dependence on a single supplier and strengthen the resilience of supply chains. The EU is also seeking to reduce its trade-in-goods deficit with China, which amounts to approximately €1 billion per day.
European Commissioner for Trade Maroš Šefčovič is expected to visit Beijing in October. If the talks do not produce results, the EU may introduce countermeasures. The survey was prepared by Bertelsmann Stiftung together with the Mercator Institute for China Studies, Clingendael, and the Finnish Institute of International Affairs; participation was voluntary, and the results are not statistically representative.
