{"id":2120626,"date":"2026-08-31T08:00:34","date_gmt":"2026-08-31T05:00:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2120626"},"modified":"2026-08-31T08:00:34","modified_gmt":"2026-08-31T05:00:34","slug":"eu-climate-chief-warns-china-dependence-will-make-eus-green-transition-more-costly","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2120626","title":{"rendered":"EU climate chief warns China dependence will make EU\u2019s green transition more costly"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/41\/48\/1200x675_cmsv2_2d346c5a-492a-5f06-87c9-92d79e4d5ed4-9894148.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2921988-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1\" data-nid=\"2921988\" data-cid=\"9896051\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2921988-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/60\/51\/189x106_cmsv2_bc087481-684c-55ff-8893-53768b2f1d42-9896051.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Hungarian Prime Minister P\u00e9ter Magyar.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Magyar says EU must decide whether to &#8216;survive or win&#8217;\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2921968-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2921968\" data-cid=\"9895873\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2921968-label-pos2-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/58\/73\/189x106_cmsv2_dd1785db-973d-5a5f-b5f6-3bfba79ac476-9895873.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"People take part in a burial ceremony for victims of wildfires, in the Djemaa Beni Habibi town in Jijel, Algeria, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Algeria<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Algerian president seeks to impose death penalty on arsonists\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2922000-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2922000\" data-cid=\"9896162\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2922000-label-pos3-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/61\/62\/189x106_cmsv2_7e3be976-0a1d-576e-8c6b-b8014c733c2d-9896162.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Latest news bulletin | August 31st, 2026 \u2013 Evening\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Top News Stories Today<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Latest news bulletin | August 31st, 2026 \u2013 Evening\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2921899-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1 m-modeXL-1 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2921899\" data-cid=\"9895463\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2921899-label-pos4-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/54\/63\/189x106_cmsv2_f30aa495-288c-5bb6-bc7e-00f49582799a-9895463.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, center, and Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Hadja Lahbib, left, Monday, 31 August.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Von der Leyen warns of worsening disaster risks, touts preparedness\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2921988-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2\" data-nid=\"2921988\" data-cid=\"9896051\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2921988-label-pos1-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/60\/51\/189x106_cmsv2_bc087481-684c-55ff-8893-53768b2f1d42-9896051.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Hungarian Prime Minister P\u00e9ter Magyar.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Magyar says EU must decide whether to &#8216;survive or win&#8217;\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2921968-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2921968\" data-cid=\"9895873\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2921968-label-pos2-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/58\/73\/189x106_cmsv2_dd1785db-973d-5a5f-b5f6-3bfba79ac476-9895873.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"People take part in a burial ceremony for victims of wildfires, in the Djemaa Beni Habibi town in Jijel, Algeria, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Algeria<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Algerian president seeks to impose death penalty on arsonists\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2922000-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2922000\" data-cid=\"9896162\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2922000-label-pos3-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/61\/62\/189x106_cmsv2_7e3be976-0a1d-576e-8c6b-b8014c733c2d-9896162.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Latest news bulletin | August 31st, 2026 \u2013 Evening\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Top News Stories Today<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Latest news bulletin | August 31st, 2026 \u2013 Evening\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2921899-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video\" data-nid=\"2921899\" data-cid=\"9895463\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2921899-label-pos4-c-latest-stories-sidebar\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/54\/63\/189x106_cmsv2_f30aa495-288c-5bb6-bc7e-00f49582799a-9895463.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, center, and Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Hadja Lahbib, left, Monday, 31 August.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Europe News<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Von der Leyen warns of worsening disaster risks, touts preparedness\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          Europe<\/p>\n<p>                          Europe News<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            EU climate chief warns China dependence will make EU\u2019s green transition more costly<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-controller=\"video-player\" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/41\/48\/1536x864_cmsv2_2d346c5a-492a-5f06-87c9-92d79e4d5ed4-9894148.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"Climate Action European Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra received Liu Zhenmin, Chinese Special Envoy for Climate Change., 22 May 2025.\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              Climate Action European Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra received Liu Zhenmin, Chinese Special Envoy for Climate Change., 22 May 2025.<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">CE &#8211; Service audiovisuel Photographer : Claudio Centonze<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0CE &#8211; Service audiovisuel Photographer : Claudio Centonze\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspMarta Pacheco\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1788163234\">\n                    Published on                 <time datetime=\"2026-08-31 10:00:34 +02:00\">31\/08\/2026 &#8211; 10:00 GMT+2<\/time><span class=\"c-article-publication-date__bullet\">\u2022<\/span>Updated<br \/>\n                                     <time datetime=\"10:02\">10:02<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup-overlay js-c-article-share-comment-popup-overlay u-display-none\">\n<div id=\"js-c-article-share-comment-popup\" class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup js-c-article-share-comment-popup\">\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__header 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alt=\"threads\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"u-display-flex u-gap-1 u-show-for-mobile-only\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" alt=\"whatsapp\" loading=\"lazy\"><span>Whatsapp<\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/social-icons\/article-redesign-whatsapp.svg\" width=\"48\" height=\"48\" alt=\"whatsapp\" class=\"u-show-for-desktop\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__content__embed_container u-display-none\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__content__embed__tooltip\"><br \/>\n                            Copy\/paste the article video embed link below:<br \/>\n                        <\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__content__embed u-display-flex\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/icon-copy-to-clipboard.svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"Copy to clipboard\" class=\"u-cursor-pointer js-c-article-share-comment-copy\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__content__embed--success-copied u-display-none js-c-article-share-comment-video-embed-success-link-copied\"><br \/>\n                                Copied<br \/>\n                            <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        Hoekstra warns China dependence will make the EU\u2019s green transition more costly, saying there is \u201cno alternative\u201d to levelling the playing field.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content js-article-content\">\n<p>Europe must accept higher short-term costs to reduce its dependence on China for clean-energy technologies, EU Climate Action Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra has told Euronews, warning that delaying action will make the strategic vulnerability harder and more expensive to unwind.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The EU should have confronted its reliance on China \u201cfive to ten years ago\u201d, Hoekstra said, arguing that waiting longer would bring greater disruption and costs.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBut it will be much cheaper and much more to our advantage to do it now than be wishy washy and wait another five to 10 years,\u201d the Dutch Commissioner said.<\/p>\n<p>Europe needs to rapidly deploy solar, wind, batteries and other clean technologies to reach climate neutrality by 2050. But Hoekstra warned that heavy reliance on Chinese manufacturers for electric vehicles, batteries, solar panels and energy storage risks replacing one strategic dependency with another \u2014 echoing Europe\u2019s former dependence on Russia for cheap energy.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis will stay with us for years to come, because the dependencies in many domains have simply become too large,\u201d he said, describing the situation as a \u201cdangerous and uncomfortable\u201d vulnerability for both Europe\u2019s climate ambitions and economic security.<\/p>\n<p>Chinese companies already dominate key parts of Europe\u2019s battery supply chain. They account for more than 80% of the bloc\u2019s residential battery energy storage market and nearly 88% of lithium-ion battery imports, according to Wood Mackenzie.<\/p>\n<p>The EU\u2019s dependence on China for critical materials is also deep-rooted. <\/p>\n<p>The issue has risen up the EU\u2019s political agenda as the rapid expansion of wind and solar power outpaces the development of storage infrastructure. EU energy ministers recently discussed the bloc\u2019s reliance on Chinese-made storage during a meeting under the Cyprus EU Presidency.<\/p>\n<p>The wider trade relationship is also under pressure. The EU\u2019s trade deficit with China reached a record \u20ac1 billion a day in 2025, prompting European leaders to call for a rebalancing of what they describe as \u201cunsustainable\u201d economic relations.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cDialogue with China remains necessary. But it must produce results. And when dialogue is not enough, we must be ready to make full use of our instruments,\u201d Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on 27 August.<\/p>\n<p>Tensions have intensified as Brussels has taken measures to protect the European market, targeting Chinese companies over issues including illegal products, state subsidies and foreign investment. Beijing has threatened retaliation.<\/p>\n<p>Hoekstra pointed to Europe\u2019s solar industry as a warning of what can happen when domestic production loses out to heavily subsidised Chinese imports.<\/p>\n<p>But the Commissioner went further, raising concerns about alleged Chinese interference and security risks involving critical infrastructure in Europe.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cKill switches are being included in windmills. Espionage happens at a very high degree on European soil. Intellectual property theft in our most advanced companies happens on a weekly basis and on and on and on \u2014 that is something no government and the EU can simply allow,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>The comments come as Brussels seeks tangible progress in its economic relationship with Beijing.<\/p>\n<p>Technical talks between the EU and China are expected to advance in October, with EU Trade Commissioner Maro\u0161 \u0160ef\u010dovi\u010d expected to travel to China. <\/p>\n<p>For Hoekstra, however, the goal is not to end trade with China but to ensure that Europe is no longer vulnerable to a single external supplier for technologies critical to its energy transition.<\/p>\n<p>The challenge, he said, is to build European capacity now \u2014 even if doing so comes with higher costs in the short term.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Von der Leyen turns up pressure on China over trade deficit <\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Euronews exclusive: EU officials to travel to China as October deadline for trade rebalancing looms<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__item\">\n<h3>\n<p>                  Time is running out: what trade concessions can the EU win from China?<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Wopke Hoekstra<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  EU Policy<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Europe&#8217;s energy crisis<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  China<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  trade<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  energy transition<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-top-stories\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-top-stories\">\n<h2 class=\"c-top-stories__title\">Top stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2921899-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2921899\" data-cid=\"9895463\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2921899-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/54\/63\/320x180_cmsv2_f30aa495-288c-5bb6-bc7e-00f49582799a-9895463.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, center, and Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Hadja Lahbib, left, Monday, 31 August.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div 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class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Iceland\u2019s &#8216;no&#8217; vote deals a blow to Brussels\u2019 security pitch<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2921991-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2921991\" data-cid=\"9896091\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2921991-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/60\/91\/320x180_cmsv2_f81d025c-41bf-5e54-85fe-d3f19d68a6cb-9896091.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Argentina&apos;s Lionel Messi (10) reacts after the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 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Google Maps plays both sides<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-3\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2921899-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2921899\" data-cid=\"9895463\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2921899-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/54\/63\/320x180_cmsv2_f30aa495-288c-5bb6-bc7e-00f49582799a-9895463.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, center, and Commissioner for Preparedness and Crisis Hadja Lahbib, left, Monday, 31 August.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Von der Leyen warns of worsening disaster risks, touts preparedness<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2921926-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2921926\" data-cid=\"9895681\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2921926-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/56\/81\/320x180_cmsv2_c1901f89-6a73-58ce-b9d9-6ee27405d382-9895681.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A Swedish Air Force JAS 39 Gripen fighter takes off from Keflavik Air Base in Iceland while deployed as part of NATO\u2019s Arctic Sentry activity. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Iceland\u2019s &#8216;no&#8217; vote deals a blow to Brussels\u2019 security pitch<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2921991-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2921991\" data-cid=\"9896091\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2921991-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/60\/91\/320x180_cmsv2_f81d025c-41bf-5e54-85fe-d3f19d68a6cb-9896091.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Argentina&apos;s Lionel Messi (10) reacts after the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Lionel Messi announces retirement from international football<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2921882-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 m-modeXL-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2921882\" data-cid=\"9895409\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2921882-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/54\/09\/320x180_cmsv2_a59247a7-4f87-51ea-beeb-7a42ef1ad2eb-9895409.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"FILE. 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Google Maps plays both sides<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">Europe must accept higher short-term costs to reduce its dependence on China for clean-energy technologies, EU Climate Action Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra has told Euronews, warning that delaying action will make the strategic vulnerability harder and more expensive to unwind.The EU should have confronted its reliance on China \u201cfive to ten years ago\u201d, Hoekstra said, arguing that waiting longer would bring greater disruption and costs.\u201cBut it will be much cheaper and much more to our advantage to do it now than be wishy washy and wait another five to 10 years,\u201d the Dutch Commissioner said.Europe needs to rapidly deploy solar, wind, batteries and other clean technologies to reach climate neutrality by 2050. But Hoekstra warned that heavy reliance on Chinese manufacturers for electric vehicles, batteries, solar panels and energy storage risks replacing one strategic dependency with another \u2014 echoing Europe\u2019s former dependence on Russia for cheap energy.\u201cThis will stay with us for years to come, because the dependencies in many domains have simply become too large,\u201d he said, describing the situation as a \u201cdangerous and uncomfortable\u201d vulnerability for both Europe\u2019s climate ambitions and economic security.Chinese companies already dominate key parts of Europe\u2019s battery supply chain. They account for more than 80% of the bloc\u2019s residential battery energy storage market and nearly 88% of lithium-ion battery imports, according to Wood Mackenzie.The EU\u2019s dependence on China for critical materials is also deep-rooted.The issue has risen up the EU\u2019s political agenda as the rapid expansion of wind and solar power outpaces the development of storage infrastructure. EU energy ministers recently discussed the bloc\u2019s reliance on Chinese-made storage during a meeting under the Cyprus EU Presidency.The wider trade relationship is also under pressure. The EU\u2019s trade deficit with China reached a record \u20ac1 billion a day in 2025, prompting European leaders to call for a rebalancing of what they describe as \u201cunsustainable\u201d economic relations.\u201cDialogue with China remains necessary. But it must produce results. And when dialogue is not enough, we must be ready to make full use of our instruments,\u201d Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on 27 August.Tensions have intensified as Brussels has taken measures to protect the European market, targeting Chinese companies over issues including illegal products, state subsidies and foreign investment. Beijing has threatened retaliation.Hoekstra pointed to Europe\u2019s solar industry as a warning of what can happen when domestic production loses out to heavily subsidised Chinese imports.But the Commissioner went further, raising concerns about alleged Chinese interference and security risks involving critical infrastructure in Europe.\u201cKill switches are being included in windmills. Espionage happens at a very high degree on European soil. Intellectual property theft in our most advanced companies happens on a weekly basis and on and on and on \u2014 that is something no government and the EU can simply allow,\u201d he said.The comments come as Brussels seeks tangible progress in its economic relationship with Beijing.Technical talks between the EU and China are expected to advance in October, with EU Trade Commissioner Maro\u0161 \u0160ef\u010dovi\u010d expected to travel to China.For Hoekstra, however, the goal is not to end trade with China but to ensure that Europe is no longer vulnerable to a single external supplier for technologies critical to its energy transition.The challenge, he said, is to build European capacity now \u2014 even if doing so comes with higher costs in the short term.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/my-europe\/2026\/08\/31\/eu-climate-chief-warns-china-dependence-will-make-eus-green-transition-more-costly&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/89\/41\/48\/1200x675_cmsv2_2d346c5a-492a-5f06-87c9-92d79e4d5ed4-9894148.jpg&#8221;] Europe News Magyar says EU must decide whether to &#8216;survive or win&#8217; Algeria Algerian president seeks to impose death penalty on arsonists Top News Stories Today Latest news bulletin | August 31st, 2026 \u2013 Evening Europe News Von der Leyen warns of worsening disaster risks, touts preparedness Europe News Magyar says EU [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-2120626","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2120626","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2120626"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2120626\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2120626"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2120626"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2120626"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}