The European Commission’s top trade envoy, Maroš Šefčovič, is in China holding a two-day meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao amid trade tensions between Beijing and the European Union.

The EU is looking to narrow its 360-billion-euro trade deficit with China.

"Day one in China, with one goal: begin rebalancing our... unsustainable trade deficit. I started by hearing directly from EU businesses here. The message around the table was clear: the need to improve access to the Chinese market, while boosting our economic security," Šefčovič said on X.

On the eve of the talks in Beijing, the European Parliament voted 454-86 on a resolution to toughen up on China that centred on a call for “economic reciprocity and a proportionate EU response if China does not open its markets.”

Earlier, a letter by France and Germany called for a sweeping rethink of the EU’s China policy.

It proposed, among other actions, making it easier for the European Commission to use the bloc’s so-called “trade bazooka” – the anti-coercion instrument – to block or restrict trade and investment from countries found to be putting undue pressure on EU member nations or corporations.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said the two sides should come together and promote the stable and healthy development of bilateral trade ties.

Earlier this week, the Commerce Ministry said China hopes that France and Germany will uphold open cooperation and free trade, observe World Trade Organisation rules and refrain from encouraging the EU to resort to protectionist measures.

A ministry spokesperson said protectionism cannot enhance competitiveness, and decoupling and cutting off supply chains will only harm others without benefiting oneself. (Xinhua and agencies)
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Last updated: 2026-10-08 HKT 18:08



Edited by Tony Sabine