China leads the global green economy and challenges the West with its competitiveness.

The green economy has become the new axis of global development, and China has taken the lead in this monumental shift. Since the mid-1990s, the Asian country has moved away from the production of mass consumer goods, such as clothing and toys, to focus on technologies that set the standard for a sustainable future. Today, China controls a vast range of renewable products, including photovoltaic panels, wind turbines, electric vehicles, and lithium-ion batteries, becoming the leading global supplier in these sectors. In the last five years, the rise of lithium-ion batteries has been remarkable, surpassing solar modules as the main export item of China's green economy. The company Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL), founded in 2011 and already holding 36.8% of the electric vehicle battery market, is a clear example of this success. With contracts with major automakers like BMW and Volkswagen, CATL not only leads the domestic market but has also begun to establish its presence in Europe, where it contrasts its competitiveness against traditional brands. The growth of the electric automotive sector in China has been staggering. In 2022, the country surpassed Japan as the largest exporter of cars, with over four million electric units sold abroad. This advancement is attributed not only to cost-efficient production, which places Chinese manufacturers 40% below their Western competitors, but also to the support from companies like Tesla, which have been able to leverage this favorable environment. This landscape has allowed Chinese brands like BYD to also position themselves strongly in international markets. However, this dominance has generated concern in the West. The governments of the United States and Europe have begun implementing protectionist measures, significantly increasing import tariffs on vehicles and solar panels made in China. The response is clear: price competition is destabilizing local markets and threatening the industry in these regions. The situation in Europe is particularly alarming, as more than 95% of solar panels come from China. The European Commission has imposed anti-dumping tariffs ranging from 17.4% to 37.6%, seeking to protect local industries from the influx of cheaper products. Nevertheless, the competitiveness of these Chinese products is such that a solar module made in China is 50% cheaper than a European one and 65% cheaper than an American one. China's leadership is not limited to production; it also encompasses innovation. In the wind turbine sector, Chinese manufacturers have launched an astonishing 426 new models in four years, while their counterparts in Europe and America have only introduced 29. This highlights not only production capacity but also the agility and dynamism of the renewable sector in China. While Western companies suffer losses and face a stagnant market, China continues to expand its dominance. In 2023, the country exported wind turbines and components worth $1.42 billion to the European Union and holds a 60% share of global wind energy production, leaving Europe and the United States with only 19% and 9%, respectively. The future seems to be written with the ink of sustainable development, and China is determined to write it. With millions in investments in renewable technologies, the country not only establishes itself as an undisputed leader in the supply chain but also anticipates a continuity in its competitive advantage. This poses an undeniable challenge for Western economies, which must adapt quickly if they do not want to fall behind in this new era of the green economy. In conclusion, Chinese industrial policy, combined with its production capacity and competitive costs, has turned the country into a beacon of the global renewable economy. As trade tensions escalate and the need for sustainable development becomes more pressing, Western governments find themselves in a race against time to reintegrate their industries and secure their place in a future that is undoubtedly marked by Chinese leadership.