The Allianz Trade Global Survey 2025 clearly shows that Chinese companies are strategically reorienting themselves as a result of the escalating trade conflict with the US and are increasingly turning their attention to Europe. Since American Liberation Day on April 2, 2025, not a single Chinese company with existing supply chains in North America has sought to remain in the region. Instead, the number of companies planning to relocate to Western Europe is skyrocketing. While only 13 percent previously considered setting up new locations in Western Europe, that figure has now risen to 27 percent.
This development is also influencing the way intangible assets are handled, as intellectual property, know-how, and data are now gaining in importance. The integration of new Chinese production and supply structures in Europe requires interfaces for processing confidential information, which poses challenges for companies in terms of protecting IP and sensitive data. Cooperation in European-Chinese supply chains is leading to the networking of technical systems and platforms, creating new requirements for data security and IP protection – especially in OEM collaborations with European SMEs, which often require specialized protection mechanisms.
Potential risks can arise from structural factors, such as contractually agreed disclosure obligations, shared digital platforms, or standardized interface solutions. European companies face complex regulatory issues: Data transfers require compliance with the GDPR and PIPL, while shared cloud solutions, remote maintenance systems, and software access must be technically secured. This strategic reorientation underscores the need for precise frameworks for partnerships, including clear IP strategies, defined dividing lines in technology architectures, legally compliant agreements for data flows, and binding governance structures for information access.
China Intellectual Property Blog 