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EU countries split on closer ties with China versus the US
A June Public First survey of 24 EU countries found eight leaning toward China, nine favoring the US, and seven split, reflecting uncertainty about who is seen as the more reliable partner.
Europeans are rethinking which country their governments should partner with as the world becomes more uncertain, with attitudes toward closer ties with China versus the United States staying divided.
According to a June survey of 24 European Union countries by Public First cited by SCMP Economy, eight leaned toward China, nine favored the US, and seven were split.
The piece argues the debate goes beyond economics and geopolitics to reputation and trust, saying China has tried to position itself as a stable and reliable long term partner while Washington is viewed as more unpredictable.
It also links soft power, meaning a country’s ability to shape preferences through attraction, to where people travel, study, invest, work, and build partnerships, and says China’s expanding influence depends on how people experience the country through its companies, universities, culture, visitors, and citizens.