The fact the euro zone has not risen up the value chain puts it in a position of weakness, a situation that China is seeking to avoid

In the euro zone, the level of investment in new technologies, industr ial automation , the lack of large internet companies and the innovation effort show that the euro zone has not risen up the value chain. This probably results from: Low labour force skills, An economic model that is dominated by traditional industry, The absence in reality of a unified market for goods and services. This puts the euro zone in a position of weakness, in particular because it lacks the products and companies in electronics and internet services that are substitutable for US products and companies. It would have been better to have a European strategy to develop these industries and companies instead of opening up the European market to US companies’ products and services. China has understood this strategic error on Europe’s part and is seeking to obtain self-sufficiency - especially with regard to the United States - in all strategic industries.