EU-China Trade Talks Hit Deadlock Over Hybrid Cars and Market Access
EU trade commissioner Maroš Šefčovič is in Beijing for critical two-day talks aimed at resolving a trade deficit of €1 billion per day. The negotiations face a significant hurdle as China has rejected EU requests to limit plug-in hybrid vehicle exports, a move European officials warn could cause the talks to fail. While Beijing offers expanded direct investment and potential minimum price agreements for electric vehicles, it refuses to cut tariffs that hinder EU exports. The European Parliament has simultaneously adopted a tougher stance, demanding concrete results on market access and security, while Chinese state media criticizes the EU’s approach as confrontational and self-defeating.
