EU, China Seek Concrete Trade Progress Amid Summit Talks

At the 25th China-EU Summit in Beijing, European and Chinese leaders emphasized the need for concrete progress toward a balanced and mutually beneficial trade relationship. European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen highlighted the importance of addressing the significant trade imbalance and called for fair and equitable free trade, while also raising concerns about issues such as market access barriers, subsidies to Chinese state-owned enterprises, and human rights. Chinese business leaders, represented by Fang Dongkui of the China Chamber of Commerce to the EU, expressed a strong commitment to the EU market and urged for the removal of trade barriers, particularly regarding tariffs on electric vehicles and rare earth exports, viewing the summit as a historic opportunity to resolve disputes amid global economic uncertainties and U.S. tariff pressures. Both sides recognized the importance of cooperation on green transition, digital economy, and climate change, with hopes for a strong joint political message ahead of the U.N. climate talks. Despite low expectations for major breakthroughs, the summit underscored the strategic responsibility of China and the EU to stabilize global markets and maintain multilateral trade systems while navigating geopolitical tensions, including the ongoing war in Ukraine. The summit also involved calls for China to leverage its influence over Russia to help end the conflict, though such appeals face skepticism.