As Europe races to rebuild its industrial base, China is focusing more on influencing international standards and governance frameworks. The two powers are converging because neither can hope to claim a dominant position in the global energy transition by relying wholly on its traditional strengths.
PARIS—For years, Europe and China embodied rival development and energy-transition models. Europe was primarily committed to markets, common rules, and multilateral institutions, whereas China emphasized industrial policy, infrastructure investment, and manufacturing. Europe produced regulations that often became global benchmarks (the “Brussels Effect”). China produced factories.
PARIS—For years, Europe and China embodied rival development and energy-transition models. Europe was primarily committed to markets, common rules, and multilateral institutions, whereas China emphasized industrial policy, infrastructure investment, and manufacturing. Europe produced regulations that often became global benchmarks (the “Brussels Effect”). China produced factories.