- China and EU held high-level talks to boost trade and economic cooperation.
- Focus areas include EV pricing negotiations and reducing non-tariff barriers.
- Talks follow Trump’s escalation of tariffs on China, now threatening a 125% rate.
- China urges joint efforts with EU to uphold multilateral trading norms.
China, European Union Coordinate Trade Strategy as U.S. Tariffs Rise
As trade tensions between Washington and Beijing intensify, China and the European Union are moving swiftly to strengthen economic ties, holding virtual talks aimed at countering the disruptive effects of newly imposed U.S. tariffs.
On Tuesday, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic exchanged views on reviving negotiations over electric vehicle (EV) pricing commitments, trade relief discussions, and the broader goal of deepening economic and industrial cooperation.
The conversation came just before President Donald Trump’s new wave of tariffs on China took effect on Wednesday. While Trump issued a 90-day pause on similar tariffs affecting dozens of other countries, he signaled no such leniency for China, threatening instead to raise the tariff rate to 125% — a sharp escalation that adds further uncertainty to global markets.
Wang emphasized China’s readiness to expand cooperation in areas including investment, manufacturing, and supply chains. He also called on the EU to work with China to uphold a rules-based multilateral trading system, in contrast to the protectionist trend currently underway in Washington.
“Injecting stability and certainty into global trade is now more important than ever,” Wang told Sefcovic, according to a statement from China’s Ministry of Commerce.
The EU and China also discussed creating a more favorable environment for businesses, particularly as both sides navigate shifting trade flows and tariff-related disruptions.
Both parties reiterated their commitment to jointly advancing World Trade Organization (WTO) reforms, aiming to reinforce global trade governance amid rising economic nationalism.
Tensions between the EU and China had also spiked last year when the European bloc imposed additional tariffs of up to 35.3% on Chinese-made EVs, citing anti-subsidy concerns. The Chinese Commerce Ministry has since confirmed that both sides have agreed to restart negotiations on EV pricing mechanisms, though no official timeline has been announced.
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