EU-China Summit in Beijing Amidst Growing Trade Tensions with U.S.

Leaders from the European Union (EU) and China are set to convene in Beijing on Thursday for a high-stakes summit that marks 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two entities. This meeting comes at a time when trade tensions are escalating, particularly influenced by U.S. policies under President Donald Trump, complicating the already fragile dynamics between the EU and China.

The summit, initially scheduled for Brussels, was shortened from two days to one, highlighting the precarious state of EU-China relations. Jörn Fleck, Senior Director at the Atlantic Council's Europe Center, commented, "Relations between Brussels and Beijing are particularly tense; the EU and China have more to argue about than they agree on, yet neither side can afford a further deterioration given the global economic outlook."

Trade issues have been central to these tensions, with the EU recently implementing restrictions on Chinese companies participating in public tenders for medical devices. This prompted a swift retaliatory response from China. Emre Peker, Director for Europe at Eurasia Group, noted the constraints on potential cooperation due to "largely irreconcilable EU-China differences," exacerbated by the U.S. trade measures and unilateralism.

The economic relationship between the EU and China is significant, accounting for nearly 30% of global trade, with bilateral trade valued at over €845 billion in 2024, as reported by the European Council. However, the EU's alignment with U.S. trade policies could further strain this relationship. Henrietta Levin, Senior Fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, stated, "Chinese leaders may try to influence the EU regarding its trade negotiations with the U.S., urging them to reject measures that disadvantage China."

As the summit approaches, expectations remain low. Analysts suggest that the most substantial outcome might simply be the continuation of dialogue on contentious issues such as tariffs, market access, and Chinese subsidies. Lukas Fiala, Project Coordinator at LSE IDEAS, remarked, "The summit can hardly reset years of economic and geopolitical tensions; instead, we may see smaller changes in language related to export controls on electric vehicles (EVs) and rare earths."

The divergent views of EU member states on China further complicate the bloc's ability to present a unified front. With the backdrop of U.S. pressures and internal discord among EU nations, the summit's primary goal appears to be maintaining open lines of communication rather than achieving any significant breakthroughs. As the world watches, the implications of this summit will resonate beyond immediate trade discussions, influencing the broader geopolitical landscape in an era marked by economic interdependence and rivalry.