EU-China trade tensions take center stage as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa prepare to travel to Beijing on Thursday 24 July for high-level talks. The visit comes ahead of the 25th EU-China summit, marking 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two powers.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to meet both von der Leyen and Costa during the summit. The event will be co-chaired by Chinese Premier Li Qiang. The leaders aim to use this summit as a platform for open and direct discussion on pressing issues affecting their relationship.
Antonio Costa emphasized the importance of this meeting, stating, “We seek dialogue, real engagement, and tangible progress. Our aim is a fair and balanced relationship that benefits both sides.” The summit offers a rare opportunity for the EU and China to clear the air and work towards mutual benefits.
Trade has been one of the most sensitive areas between Brussels and Beijing for years. The European Union has consistently pushed China to remove trade barriers that limit access for European businesses. In particular, the EU has urged China to relax export controls on critical raw materials such as rare earth metals, which are vital to many industries.
Earlier this month, Ursula von der Leyen highlighted the EU’s efforts to rebalance trade ties with China. She underlined the importance of greater reciprocity and fair trade practices in their dealings. In contrast, China’s foreign ministry called on the EU to approach the relationship with a more “objective and rational” attitude, urging both sides to manage disagreements constructively.
This summit also follows the EU’s recent announcement of its 18th sanctions package against Russia. The sanctions target Russian oil revenues, banks, and military industries. Several Chinese companies and financial institutions have been named in the sanctions due to alleged support for Russian operations. China denies any involvement in supporting Moscow’s military efforts and has criticized the EU’s sanctions, warning that they could cause serious damage to economic ties between China and the EU.
Other areas of disagreement remain, including European concerns about Chinese government subsidies for electric vehicles and wind power technologies. Additionally, the handling of European user data by the Chinese-owned app TikTok has raised privacy issues.
Despite these challenges, the EU continues to stress the need for diplomatic engagement. The summit is expected to focus on trade policy, economic cooperation, climate change goals, and geopolitical issues such as China’s stance on the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Trade tensions between the EU and China have long shaped their economic relationship. The upcoming summit in Beijing provides a crucial chance for dialogue aimed at overcoming obstacles and promoting cooperation. Both sides appear willing to pursue tangible progress, but success will require compromise and trust on sensitive issues like market access, export controls, and regulatory fairness.
