EU’s Global Gateway Strategy Faces Competition from Evolving Chinese Infrastructure Plan

Brussels is working to refine its Global Gateway infrastructure strategy to better compete with China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), as highlighted at the second Global Gateway Forum held October 9–10, but faces challenges in establishing a distinct identity and pace.

The EU initiative, launched in 2021 with five core pillars – digital, energy, transport, health, and education – initially struggled with a lack of focus, attempting to address too many areas simultaneously. Recent efforts have concentrated on supporting electrostate transitions and bolstering cybersecurity, with flagship projects including submarine cable networks, power grids, and green shipping corridors across Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. This shift comes as China has already begun to adapt its own approach, moving beyond large-scale infrastructure to prioritize “small and beautiful” high-tech projects, like the Africa Solar Belt network.

A key concern raised at the forum was the increasing convergence between the two strategies, with China incorporating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) compliance into its projects. For example, China’s Benguela Railway directly competes with the EU’s Lobito Corridor in Africa, and similar parallels exist in energy and digital infrastructure projects. The competition for influence in the Global South is intensifying, with both initiatives responding to demands for genuine local growth and development; this is particularly significant as infrastructure investments often shape long-term economic and political relationships. Experts at the European Council on Foreign Relations have noted the need for the EU to accelerate its decision-making processes to effectively counter China’s speed.

To address these challenges, the EU is reforming the Global Gateway’s governance structure and introducing flexible financing tools, aiming to create innovation-heavy, sustainable projects. Officials are also considering establishing dedicated coordination hubs in partner countries to streamline implementation and ensure inclusivity. The EU hopes this multiactor approach, prioritizing local community involvement, will differentiate the Global Gateway from the BRI. You can learn more about the Global Gateway here.

Brussels plans to continue refining the strategy’s governance and implementation, with a focus on establishing clear points of contact in partner countries to improve coordination and transparency.