The Chinese mock the Europeans: 'They're harder to find than Pokémon cards'

China's exports of air conditioning units and electric fans have surged significantly in Europe amid a heatwave, with Chinese state media using the trend to challenge European plans for tariffs. According to reports from Chinese state-run media, exports of climate control equipment to the European Union rose by 43 percent in the first half of the year, reaching $3.8 billion. This growth includes a sharp increase in the export of electric fans, which are largely manufactured in China, with sales rising between 20 and 97 percent in markets such as Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and the United Kingdom. An independent analysis by the China Data Portal reveals that British imports of air conditioning units and their components from January through May were 74 percent higher than the same period last year. This rate of growth surpassed that observed in other key European markets, where increases ranged from 27 to 63 percent. The Telegraph noted these figures, highlighting the rapid expansion of Chinese products into European homes. Chinese state media have used these statistics to criticize the European Union’s proposed tariffs aimed at protecting domestic industries, particularly manufacturers of automobiles and solar panels from cheap Chinese imports. Beijing has long subsidized its domestic production, encouraging factories to produce more than the domestic market can absorb. Excess goods are then sold abroad at very low prices, putting European producers at a disadvantage. However, Chinese media argue that the high demand among European consumers for affordable Chinese air conditioners demonstrates that Chinese industrial production represents an opportunity rather than a threat. A commentary published by China Daily, one of the leading newspapers of the Communist Party of China, states that while some European politicians have criticized China for excessive production capacity in the past, the current heatwave has turned this surplus into a form of relief. The Securities Times, a state-owned business daily, reported that Chinese companies have already begun offering innovative solutions tailored to European market needs. These include compact, energy-efficient systems that meet strict European regulations on noise levels and cultural heritage protection. Online retail platforms such as Joybuy, popular among European importers, reported a 42-fold increase in sales of certain types of air conditioners between June 19 and June 25. Sales of floor fans saw an even greater rise, increasing 80 times during the same period. Portable personal fans recorded an astonishing 120-fold surge in sales. Large Chinese manufacturer Midea reported a 70 percent increase in sales of its PortaSplit models in Western Europe compared to the same period last year. One European customer told Chinese media that “they are harder to find than Pokémon cards.” Li Mingyang, CEO of Luckyway Home Appliances, noted that his company’s fan sales in Europe increased by 20 percent this year, with the uptick beginning as early as February. He remarked that the weather in Europe was unusually hot, beyond expectations, and expects orders to continue growing in the coming years. Zhao Yiwen, a commentator on the China Academy platform, suggests that if Li’s predictions come true, Europe will need to become increasingly reliant on Chinese supply chains. She argues that Europe requires pragmatic internal reforms focused on real citizen issues, moving away from geopolitical prejudices and embracing the benefits of globalized industrial supply chains.