All articles tagged with #eu china relations
Brussels pulled the European Commission from a Ventotene conference after Taiwan’s vice premier Hsiao Bi-khim appeared as a surprise guest, prompting removal of the EC logo and cancellation of a Commission panel; Beijing protested, the EU reaffirmed its One China Policy, and Parliament-led talks on democracy and autocracy continued, illustrating growing EU-Taiwan visibility amid EU-China tensions.
EU trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic pressed China’s Wang Wentao, warning that Europe’s market share in China is shrinking as Chinese exports to the bloc rise, and backing tougher measures such as overhauling the Cyber Security Act, an Industrial Accelerator Act prioritising EU-made goods, and sourcing-diversification rules for sensitive sectors; with July 1 duties on steel and a small-parcel customs charge looming, the bloc seeks to avoid a full-blown trade war while carmakers face job cuts amid EV competition, and Sefcovic and Wang outlined four workstreams and a joint trade-monitoring mechanism to pursue meaningful concessions.
Three years after von der Leyen warned about China’s 'no-limits friendship' with Russia and the need to de-risk, the EU remains divided and slow to act. By 2025 every member state posted a trade deficit with China, while tools like tariffs on Chinese EVs were used selectively and the Anti-Coercion Instrument has not been triggered. Beijing’s divide-and-conquer tactics and retaliation threats complicate consensus, leaving Brussels seeking a more coherent strategy and greater unity to curb dependencies and strengthen economic security in China trade.
Germany has opened the door to stronger EU trade defenses against China to curb overcapacity and protect European industry, signaling Berlin’s support for the European Commission’s push to curb surging Chinese goods despite the challenge of uniting all member states on a common stance.
The European Commission signaled a strategic rethink on China, emphasizing de-risking rather than decoupling as tensions rise and the EU weighs stronger trade-defence tools (tariffs, investigations) and new instruments to curb overcapacity. Internal splits, notably in Germany and Spain, complicate policy shifts even as Brussels prepares for possible moves at the June European Council, amid threats of retaliation from Beijing and pressure to shield key industries from cheap Chinese imports.
Spain is withdrawing its support for a French-led push to strengthen EU trade defenses against China, with economy minister Carlos Cuerpo saying the non-paper had only been discussed technically. The reversal, ahead of a broader EU debate on ties with Beijing, highlights Madrid’s historically China-friendly stance as the bloc weighs tougher measures while some member states push for greater engagement and an emphasis on economic security.
The European Union is drafting rules that would require companies to source critical components from at least three different suppliers, with a cap of roughly 30-40% from any single supplier, in an effort to diversify away from China. Targeting sectors like chemicals and industrial machinery, the plan aims to counter Beijing’s export controls and reduce Europe’s trade deficit by leveraging free-trade networks to broaden sourcing, while signaling possible punitive tariffs on Chinese chemicals and machinery as the proposal advances in early-stage discussions ahead of May and June meetings.
China warned the EU it will take countermeasures if its proposed Industrial Accelerator Act—dubbed the Made in Europe plan—hurts Chinese companies, arguing the law discriminates against Chinese investors and contradicts market rules. The EU aims to boost manufacturing’s share of GDP to 20% by 2035 and would restrict foreign investments above €100 million from countries with a large share of global production in strategic sectors, requiring EU worker dominance (at least 50%), local manufacturing involvement, and mandatory technology transfer. Beijing urged dialogue but signalled it could respond if Brussels ignores its objections, highlighting ongoing tensions in EU–China trade as Washington and Beijing negotiate their truce.
During a Beijing meeting, Xi Jinping pledged to strengthen China’s ties with the EU and designated Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez as a key interlocutor, urging closer cooperation and genuine multilateralism amid tense global dynamics.
The EU-China summit in Beijing revealed deepening tensions over trade imbalances, geopolitical disputes, and support for Russia, despite some progress on climate change and rare earth cooperation. EU leaders criticized China's trade surplus and alleged support for Russia, while China called for a deeper partnership and emphasized cooperation on green issues. The summit's outcomes are seen as limited, with analysts suggesting long-term challenges in EU-China relations, especially amid broader geopolitical and economic strains.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned Chinese leader Xi Jinping that EU-China relations are at a critical 'inflection point' due to trade imbalances and geopolitical tensions, emphasizing the need for rebalancing and mutual benefits amid ongoing disputes over trade, Ukraine, and strategic cooperation.
China and the EU are set to hold a high-level meeting amidst strained relations, with tensions exacerbated by US policies and trade disputes, making the summit more about managing ongoing disagreements than achieving major breakthroughs.
The European Commission is set to unveil recommendations for EU states to address foreign interference in research and innovation, particularly from strategic adversaries like China, in an effort to safeguard European research. The proposal aims to establish a new center dedicated to keeping European research secure and urges EU members to be vigilant about the risks associated with international research collaboration. Additionally, the Commission plans to promote dual-use research and may open up the Horizon Europe R&D program to technologies with both civil and military applications.
European Union leaders felt that Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang took their concerns seriously during a summit in Beijing, signaling a potential improvement in EU-China relations. While the two sides remain far apart on core issues such as trade and Russia, Xi assured EU leaders that China sees Europe as a "pole" in its own right and not a "vassal" of anyone. The EU raised concerns about the lopsided trading relationship, overcapacity in the Chinese economy, circumvention of sanctions on Russia, and re-engagement in Ukraine-backed talks. Although no major breakthroughs were achieved, there is a sense that Beijing wants to avoid a full-blown trade war with the EU. Technical groups will be established to discuss specific issues, but suspicions remain about Beijing's intentions.
China hopes that France can help stabilize the tone of EU-China relations as European leaders discuss how to manage risks while cooperating with China. China expressed its willingness to deepen cooperation with France in finance, science, and technological innovation. French firms are concerned about getting caught in the crossfire of rising rivalry between China and the US. The two countries discussed challenges such as the green transition, reorganization of value chains, and technological revolution, as well as market access issues for French companies. Both sides expressed the importance of expanding and deepening economic and financial cooperation.