EU and China hold tense summit amid trade imbalances and global tensions

EU leaders met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday for a one-day summit focused on trade imbalances, global conflicts and strategic tensions, but expectations for major breakthroughs remained low due to hardened positions and rising geopolitical strain.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa held talks with China’s President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang in Beijing on Thursday, marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the European Union and China.

Originally planned as a two-day event, the summit was scaled back to one day amid mounting global uncertainties, including wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, and fears of renewed U.S. tariffs under President Donald Trump.

Trade imbalances topped the agenda. China and the European Union have multiple disputes across key industries, but none as pressing as the bloc’s €400 billion trade deficit with China. European officials also raised concerns over Beijing’s support for Russia, cyberattacks, and its near-monopoly on rare earths.

Human rights issues in Xinjiang, Tibet and Hong Kong were addressed, but analysts say little progress was expected.

“It will be very hard to achieve something concrete,” said Fabian Zuleeg of the European Policy Centre.

Despite the challenges, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to economic cooperation, with von der Leyen calling for “mutually beneficial ties.” However, observers noted a hardened stance from Beijing.

“China has come away emboldened from its confrontation with Trump,” Zuleeg said, adding that Beijing now sees “less of a need to woo Europe.”

China remains the EU’s second-largest trading partner, but divisions on security, values and global governance continue to define the relationship.

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