People in Finland broadly support reducing the EU's economic and technological dependencies on the US and China.
That’s according to a survey published on Friday by two think-tanks: the state-supported Finnish Innovation Fund (Sitra) and the Finnish Business and Policy Forum (Eva). It was unveiled just ahead of Europe Day on 9 May. This year marks the 76th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, which laid the foundations for the European Union.
Seventy-seven percent of respondents said that Europe must reduce its technological and economic dependence on the United States, even if it weakens bilateral relations. Nine percent oppose the idea.
"This is not direct anti-Americanism. Finns seem to distinguish between security cooperation and economic and technological dependence," the researchers said in a statement.
Nearly three-quarters support tighter restrictions on ports, energy networks and other strategic assets for security reasons.
About the same number said that European companies should be favoured in public procurement, even if that means higher prices. And nearly three out of four support building partnerships with emerging economies such as India, Brazil or Vietnam to reduce dependence on China.
Security more urgent than climate?
Most respondents said security should be put ahead of climate goals when necessary. Nearly two-thirds support reducing Europe's technological dependence on China, for example in batteries and electric cars, even if that would slow climate action.
Europe's green transition is structurally dependent on China, with a large proportion of solar panels, electric cars and battery technology based on Chinese production.
When respondents were asked what issues the EU should emphasise more in the future, topics related to self-sufficiency and security were ranked highly.
For example, 65 percent said that more emphasis should be placed on common defence, while 44 percent said the fight against climate change should be more of a focus.
"Based on the survey, Finns no longer view the EU merely as economic cooperation or a regulatory mechanism. Above all, they expect effectiveness: the ability to strengthen Europe’s security, safeguard critical resources and reduce dependencies in an uncertain geopolitical context," said the report's lead author, Sitra Senior Advisor Timo Miettinen.
Taloustutkimus conducted the survey in March, with responses from over 2,000 adults in mainland Finland as well as 34 invited EU experts. It says that the margin of error is 2–3 percentage points in either direction.
