European leaders seeking strategic economic autonomy must fold human rights into industrial and trade policy, argue commentators and rights advocates.

China’s model of state‑led growth, reliant on restricted labour rights, mass surveillance and coerced practices, creates unfair competitive advantages and systemic risks for partners that accept rights‑tainted goods and technologies.

Strengthening due diligence laws, enforcing forced labour bans, protecting diaspora communities from transnational repression, and embedding labour standards in trade policies would align Europe’s economic strategy with its values, reduce security vulnerabilities, and protect citizens’ rights now and in the long run.

Sources:  Commentary synthesis, 03/24/2026 (policy and human rights analyses).