BEIJING, Oct 11 — Trade protectionism cannot resolve the structural challenges confronting European industries and will instead worsen the global trading environment, according to an overwhelming majority of respondents in a worldwide public opinion survey conducted by the China Global Television Network (CGTN), part of China Media Group (CMG).
The poll highlights rising global apprehension over unilateral tariff measures, with 82.8 percent of respondents asserting that protective trade barriers will fail to remedy structural bottlenecks in European economies while deteriorating international trade conditions. Furthermore, 82.6 percent expressed concern that protectionist barriers will erode the global competitiveness of European enterprises.
A substantial 85.9 percent of participants warned that imposing excessive tariffs on foreign imports will exacerbate economic friction and broaden bilateral trade rifts between Europe and its primary trading partners.
The survey results coincide with recent institutional engagement between Beijing and Brussels. During the second regular meeting of the China-EU Trade and Investment Consultation Mechanism, both sides held pragmatic, productive discussions, reaching consensus across several key agendas. Affirming their commitments as major trading partners, representatives pledged to manage disputes within the multilateral framework of the World Trade Organization (WTO) to maintain stable, balanced, and sustainable economic relations. Notably, both parties agreed to continue discussions regarding reciprocal tariff reductions on designated goods in accordance with WTO provisions.
The survey also underscored the mutual interdependence of both markets:
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Deep Supply Chain Integration: 87.2 percent of respondents recognized that industrial and supply chains between China and Europe are deeply intertwined, concluding that open cooperation creates mutually beneficial avenues for growth.
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Domestic Reform Over Tariffs: A majority of respondents suggested that Europe should bolster its industrial edge through domestic reforms and policy realignments rather than punitive trade barriers.
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Holistic Assessment: Participants noted that current bilateral trade friction—specifically trade imbalances—must be assessed within the broader reality of mutual economic codependency.
Sources: Xue-Faisal-Zinia, China Media Group (CMG) / CGTN Public Opinion Poll.