At a summit, the EU threatened China further steps against unfair trading practices.
The EU is ready to lead a constructive dialogue to solve the current conflicts, it said in a press release after a meeting of Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Council President António Costa with China’s state and party leader XI Jinping. As long as this is not the case, the EU will take measures to protect its legitimate interests.
Last year, the EU had already introduced additional tariffs to the import of electric cars from China. Previously, the EU Commission had come to the conclusion that Chinese manufacturers benefit from unfair subsidies that give them a significant advantage on the European market. Accordingly, Chinese electric cars can usually be offered around 20 percent cheaper than models produced in the EU.
Relationships are ‘highly unbalanced’
In addition to unfair subsidies, the EU criticizes, among other things, growing overcapacity and market access problems for European companies. In 2024, the EU had a trade deficit of 305 billion euros in goods trading with China, the press release said for the summit. The trade relationships are “highly unbalanced”. Meanwhile, it is problematic for Europeans that China also has significant economic means of pressure in hand.
Reminders for Russia support
In addition to the trade disputes, foreign policy issues such as the persistent Russian attack war against Ukraine also played a role at the summit. The EU repeated her request to China not to provide any material support that strengthens Russia’s military-industrial basis. In addition, the EU representatives said their deep concerns about the human rights situation in the Chinese region of Xinjiang and in Tibet.