Jens Eskelund, chairman of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China (彥辭), stated today that to foster robust external economic relations under US President Trump’s tariff policies—which have disrupted global trade systems—China must adjust its current “top-down and government-led” industrial policy.

Eskelund also emphasized Beijing's need to actively reassure international partners of the advantages of cooperation with China. The EU Chamber of Commerce released a report, "The Price for Technological Leadership: Made in 2025," today, according to Bloomberg reports. Eskelund suggested that China should gradually shift away from its highly coordinated industrial policy framework and embrace market-oriented reforms—the very strategies that fueled the country’s success over the past three decades.

Given these circumstances, a reassessment of how China engages with other countries globally is essential, along with corresponding adjustments to industry policies. Specifically for Europe, China must demonstrate a commitment to building long-term, mutually beneficial economic relationships.

The report offers several recommendations for China, including introducing market-oriented reforms; phasing out “top-down government-led” industrial policy frameworks; refining self-sufficiency goals into concrete actions; fostering an investment climate where foreign enterprises can confidently invest in the Chinese market over the long term; and avoiding initiatives like "Made in 2025" that could exacerbate trade imbalances or tensions between Europe and China.