Global respondents believe China will become more influential, with economic policies creating unexpected opportunities for Beijing.
Global Perception of Chinese Influence
Worldwide respondents believe China will become more influential in the future. Only 5% in Europe view China as an ally sharing their interests and values, while 27% in Brazil and 22% in India hold this view.
According to the ECFR report authors, this reflects the paradox of the “America First” policy: Trump’s rejection of the liberal international order effectively permitted closer relations with Beijing.
Economic Dominance and Appeal
China’s appeal is also based on its growing economic dominance. Sixty percent of European respondents believe China will be the leader in electric vehicle production, compared to only 10.9% for Europe and 8.4% for the United States.
For consumers, Chinese products no longer associate with mediocrity. China’s growing advantage demonstrates the effectiveness of its development model, from which valuable inspiration can be drawn.