How Europe’s rush for Chinese air conditioners exposes the gap in Brussels’ trade policy

A heatwave is driving unprecedented demand for Chinese air conditioners in Europe, just as Brussels seeks to narrow its record trade deficit with China through new restrictions.

Observers said this exposed a glaring contradiction between public demand and political rhetoric, adding that the European Union was shifting blame for the trade deficit instead of addressing its own structural shortcomings.

The record-breaking heatwave has disrupted transit infrastructure, triggered droughts and led to thousands of heat-related excess deaths across the continent, forcing countries such as France and the Netherlands to issue red alerts for consecutive days.

Governments of European countries are struggling to cope with the extreme weather, facing sharp criticism over poor emergency management and underinvestment in public services and climate policy.

Meanwhile, Europeans are flocking to buy Chinese air conditioners, leading to a dramatic surge in demand for certain portable units, even as Brussels toughens its trade policy towards Beijing.

Ding Chun, director of the Centre for European Studies at Fudan University, highlighted the disconnect between Brussels’ leadership and ordinary citizens, noting that the public naturally focused on cost-of-living realities and daily life.