TAIPEI (TVBS News) — As a countdown clock ticks toward the start of U.S.-China tariff negotiations, policy experts from Europe and Taiwan gathered in Taipei on Tuesday (April 29) to forge a united front against what many fear could become a tsunami of subsidized Chinese exports. The Research Institute for Democracy, Society, and Emerging Technology (DSET, 民主與社會研究中心) "Taiwan-Europe Think Tank Dialogue" (台歐智庫對話十字路口的聲音：科技戰略競爭與民主韌性下的歐洲) centered on the European Union's ongoing investigation into Chinese subsidized industries, viewed by many as a potential blueprint for Taiwan's economic defenses.
Dr. Mathieu Duchâtel, who directs international studies at the French think tank Institut Montaigne, painted a picture of strategic deadlock between Beijing and Brussels. "There seems to be, what I would describe as a very limited offer on the table from the Chinese side, which I would describe as aiming at preserving a form of status quo in EU-China, trade and investment relations," Duchâtel told the audience of policy experts, students and officials.
This imbalanced relationship has created a diplomatic stalemate, according to Duchâtel, with China enjoying the upper hand in current arrangements. "The way China approaches the European Union, everything I see is an intention to actually preserve the status quo in EU-China relations, which means preserving access to the EU single market," the French scholar explained, his tone suggesting frustration with Beijing's intransigence.
"The status quo is more beneficial to China than it is to the EU when it comes to trade and investment these days. So I don't see any way out of this mismatch of priorities as we are speaking," Duchâtel added. His assessment underscored the quandary facing European policymakers who must balance commercial interests against mounting concerns about economic security and industrial competitiveness.
The island democracy of Taiwan and the European bloc share a common predicament: how to shield domestic industries from state-backed Chinese competition without triggering devastating retaliation against their own exporters. Tuesday's dialogue ventured beyond mere defensive postures, exploring ambitious collaboration in innovation ecosystems that might allow both economies to outcompete rather than simply block China's heavily subsidized green technology and semiconductor sectors.
Dr. Mikko Huotari, who leads the influential Mercator Institute for China Studies (MERICS) in Berlin, acknowledged the powerful corporate interests pushing against a confrontational approach to Beijing. "Definitely, there are voices in the German corporate sector that would push for renewed engagement with China. This is happening. It's public. It's visible," Huotari said, referencing the automotive and manufacturing giants that have long viewed China as both factory floor and crucial market.
Despite these commercial pressures, Huotari dismissed fears that Europe might revert to its previous accommodating stance toward Beijing. "I don't think that fits with the broader strategic outlook of the new German government, but the political economy of Germany does not change when a government changes, which means that the lobbying power of big corporates will be intense," he noted, suggesting that Europe's strategic recalibration toward China has deeper roots than partisan politics.
The German expert expressed confidence that Europe's growing partnership with Taiwan would withstand corporate lobbying. "I think, on net balance, we will not see a major push that will have strategic implications for the European orientations towards mainland PRC and, as an extension, also towards Taiwan policy," he went on. "This is pretty established by now that we have an interest in expanding our relationship with Taiwanese stakeholders," Huotari continued, in what appeared to be a veiled reference to Taiwan's semiconductor prowess.
European policy experts at the forum proposed sophisticated cross-border intelligence networks that could help Taiwanese officials identify concealed subsidies flowing through China's sprawling industrial supply chains. This technical collaboration comes as both economies craft responses that adhere to World Trade Organization rules. The emerging consensus among participants emphasized that neither Taiwan nor Europe can effectively counter Beijing's industrial policies alone – only coordinated international action offers a viable path forward. ★