The idea that China’s industrial success has been built on free-market competition is false.
In 2024 alone, China accounted for 52% of the $108bn in industrial subsidies tracked by the OECD, and almost 60% of Chinese firms’ market-share gains since 2005 were driven by subsidies.
Europe failed to build enough sovereign military production, underinvested in energy sovereignty, was too slow to support its own tech industries, and reacted too late to China’s state-backed industrial expansion.
A strongly pro-business economy is essential for growth. But sovereignty does not happen by free market alone.
Europe needs much more strategic ambition from the state.




