China as the 'other': the factors behind the EU's perception of China

The relationship between the European Union and China is one of the main factors influencing global governance, not only as one influences the other to adopt specific norms, re-define rules or abide by existing standards, but it is also been subject of significant change in how they perceive each other which, in turn, influences the policies that they define towards the other and their mutual relation. While their relation had traditionally been one of opportunism, it has shifted post-2016 and especially with the 2019 Strategic Outlook towards greater nuance and focus on principles, which has led to a more conflictual relationship and, often, to gridlock. An illustrative example of this phenomenon is the EU's trade policy, which has shifted towards greater trade protection and assertiveness to protect from China's unfair practices and its use of economic statecraft. Using in-depth interviews and qualitative comparative analysis of policy documents, this paper analysis the major factors - political, economic and intellectual - determining elite perceptions of China in the EU, with a special focus on trade. The paper suggests that fundamental dilemmas between the EU's principles and interests exist in its definition of its China policy, which need to be reconciled if it is to define an actionable and future-proof strategy vis-à-vis China.