The European Union's Response to Made in China 2025

Abstract

This thesis investigates and explains EUs legislative response to the “Made in China 2025” industrial policy. Doing so, this thesis presents insights of the characteristics of the “Made in China 2025” strategy and how it has materialised in relation to the EU. The analysis illustrates sector specific FDI flows and thus analyses the legislative response relating to these sectors. Using historical institutionalism, the thesis argues that a very limited legislative response from the EU has taken place as a result of its institutional past. The thesis argues that this path dependence shapes EU’s ability to respond extensively to the “Made in China 2025” industrial policy.