How Europe’s rush for Chinese air conditioners exposes the gap in Brussels’ trade policy

A heatwave is driving unprecedented demand for Chinese air conditioners in Europe, just as Brussels seeks to narrow its record trade deficit with China through new restrictions. Observers said this exposed a glaring contradiction between public demand and political rhetoric, adding that the European Union was shifting blame for the trade deficit instead of addressing its own structural shortcomings. The record-breaking heatwave has disrupted transit infrastructure, triggered droughts and led to...