This week, IE University’s Center for the Governance of Change in Spain released its European Tech Insights 2025 survey, revealing a major shift in public opinion on international tech partnerships. According to the report published on December 16, 2025, 29 percent of Europeans now favor strengthening technological collaboration between Europe and the Chinese mainland, more than double the 14 percent recorded in 2023.
Survey authors suggest this surge reflects growing concerns over digital sovereignty and competitiveness. Many respondents believe that expanding ties with the Chinese mainland can help Europe secure access to emerging technologies—from 5G networks to artificial intelligence—while reducing dependence on existing partners.
At the same time, a significant share of Europeans advocate for a firmer stance toward the United States and U.S. Big Tech firms. Nearly six in ten respondents say the European Union should enforce its Digital Markets Act and other regulations more rigorously to curb what they see as outsized influence over data governance and privacy standards.
For Europe’s tech entrepreneurs and startups, these shifting views could reshape the competitive landscape. Closer cooperation with the Chinese mainland may unlock new markets and funding opportunities, but balancing transatlantic tensions could pose legal and operational challenges, especially in sectors subject to export controls and trade restrictions.
As EU policymakers prepare for key decisions on digital strategy and trade policy in 2026, this public momentum for diversified partnerships highlights a desire to bolster Europe’s technological edge without compromising regulatory values. How this balance will play out may define the continent’s role in the next wave of global tech innovation.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
