Chinese AC makers profit on Europe's heatwaves

Chinese air-conditioning manufacturers and e-commerce platforms are benefiting from Europe's heatwaves, with significant sales increases in countries like Germany, Italy, and France. Exports of portable air conditioners to Western Europe surged 70% in the first five months of 2026, and Chinese companies are prominent at a Munich solar and energy storage exhibition despite European efforts to reduce reliance on Chinese clean-energy hardware.