EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic will hold critical talks with Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao in Beijing on October 8-9, as the two sides head into the final stretch of discussions to tackle their trade tensions.
What's on the table
The 27-nation bloc is deeply concerned about its trade imbalance with China and the damage Brussels says it is inflicting on key European industries. The European Union's trade deficit in goods with China hit around 360 billion euros in 2025.
According to EU spokesman Olof Gill, priorities for the EU include the management of Chinese exports to the bloc, Europe's access to the Chinese market, and export controls on rare earths. China, the dominant supplier, restricted exports of rare earths last year, and the EU worries about the impact of such moves on its supply chains.
Sefcovic has been leading the talks for the European Commission, which EU states tasked with tackling frictions with China through dialogue. The two sides took stock of the discussions over the summer, with the trade commissioner speaking to Wang via video call last Thursday.
'From rhetoric to results'
Both sides are expected to use the second session of the Trade and Investment Council in Beijing in October — which Sefcovic will co-chair — to deliver concrete outcomes. "While genuine engagement remains a priority, it is equally important that first concrete outcomes are delivered," Gill said. "That outcome needs to be credible."
The visit comes as Brussels seeks to avoid a painful trade war. EU chief Ursula von der Leyen warned Beijing on Wednesday that the bloc would deploy "all tools" at its disposal to rebalance its trade relationship with China.
Sources:
Sino Daily: EU trade chief to visit Beijing on Oct 8-9 to tackle tensions
What's on the table
The 27-nation bloc is deeply concerned about its trade imbalance with China and the damage Brussels says it is inflicting on key European industries. The European Union's trade deficit in goods with China hit around 360 billion euros in 2025.
According to EU spokesman Olof Gill, priorities for the EU include the management of Chinese exports to the bloc, Europe's access to the Chinese market, and export controls on rare earths. China, the dominant supplier, restricted exports of rare earths last year, and the EU worries about the impact of such moves on its supply chains.
Sefcovic has been leading the talks for the European Commission, which EU states tasked with tackling frictions with China through dialogue. The two sides took stock of the discussions over the summer, with the trade commissioner speaking to Wang via video call last Thursday.
'From rhetoric to results'
Both sides are expected to use the second session of the Trade and Investment Council in Beijing in October — which Sefcovic will co-chair — to deliver concrete outcomes. "While genuine engagement remains a priority, it is equally important that first concrete outcomes are delivered," Gill said. "That outcome needs to be credible."
The visit comes as Brussels seeks to avoid a painful trade war. EU chief Ursula von der Leyen warned Beijing on Wednesday that the bloc would deploy "all tools" at its disposal to rebalance its trade relationship with China.
Sources:
Sino Daily: EU trade chief to visit Beijing on Oct 8-9 to tackle tensions