European trade officials have expressed concerns over a growing influx of Chinese goods disrupting local industries, but amid the ongoing debate, Chinese state media highlight a distinct area of increased European demand: air conditioners. As Europe grapples with an intense heat wave, Chinese manufacturers have seen a notable surge in exports of cooling appliances to the continent.
China remains a global leader in the air-conditioning market, accounting for approximately 40% of worldwide exports, according to data from the International Trade Centre. This dominance extends across other sectors as well, including smartphones, electric vehicles, and solar panels. Yet the relatively low penetration of air conditioners in European households—about 20%, significantly less than in many other regions—has left many Europeans seeking relief from soaring temperatures.
A video circulated by China News Service illustrated this disparity by contrasting a pigpen in China equipped with an air conditioner to the minimal presence of such units in Europe, underscoring the continent’s growing need for cooling solutions. This trend has particularly benefited major Chinese appliance makers such as Midea, Haier, and Gree, which have steadily expanded their market share overseas.
Chinese customs figures show substantial increases in air conditioner shipments to key European markets. In May alone, exports to France rose 57% year-on-year to nearly $26 million, while shipments to Spain jumped 41% to around $71 million. These rises predate the historic heat wave in June, when temperatures regularly exceeded 100 degrees Fahrenheit across parts of Europe.
Trade tensions persist between the European Union and China, with Brussels warning of possible retaliatory measures against what it describes as Beijing’s unfair subsidy practices that distort competition. China disputes these claims, attributing trade imbalances to the competitiveness of its companies rather than state intervention.
Chinese companies have tailored products to meet European standards and consumer preferences. For instance, Midea’s PortaSplit air conditioner was designed for the European market, emphasizing ease of self-installation and compliance with stringent urban building codes. Despite rising demand, availability remains limited; a German website tracking nearly 1,200 retail locations in the country reported just four units of the PortaSplit model in stock as of early July.
Midea announced plans to dispatch 100 shipping containers of PortaSplit air conditioners to Europe this month. The company also reported year-to-date growth of over 70% in sales to France, Spain, Germany, and the United Kingdom compared to the previous year.
Locally, the heat wave’s impact has prompted practical responses. Geoffroy Boulard, mayor of Paris’s 17th arrondissement, disclosed that he procured 50 Haier air conditioners—another prominent Chinese brand—for installation in area schools, where indoor temperatures recently exceeded 110 degrees Fahrenheit. This move highlights the immediate demand for cooling technology amid Europe’s unprecedented summer conditions.