EU Starts 2-Week China Policy Push as 27 Leaders Weigh Tougher Trade Line
Updated
Updated · South China Morning Post · Jun 9
EU Starts 2-Week China Policy Push as 27 Leaders Weigh Tougher Trade Line
1 articles · Updated · South China Morning Post · Jun 9
Summary
Brussels opened a two-week sprint on China policy Tuesday, with EU diplomats preparing next week’s summit where all 27 member states will set the bloc’s direction toward Beijing.
Cheap Chinese imports and Beijing’s retaliation threats have pushed the debate to a fever pitch, with some capitals urging the EU to abandon “naivety” and harden its trade stance.
China’s commerce vice-minister Ling Ji is meeting new EU trade chief Ditte Juul Jorgensen in Brussels before stops in Berlin and Dusseldorf, as the Commission tries to contain tensions through more engagement.
Expectations for a breakthrough remain low because EU officials see little sign Beijing will ease industrial and trade policies, deepening concern in Brussels that a trade war is nearing.
As the EU targets Chinese green tech, will its climate goals become a casualty of the escalating trade war?
With key members divided, can the EU truly afford an economic war with China to protect its industries?
EU Faces Record €359 Billion China Trade Deficit: Urgent Policy Shift, Internal Divisions, and Global Supply Chain Risks
Overview
In early June 2026, the European Union is ramping up policy discussions on China, driven by a growing consensus that the current trade relationship is unsustainable. This urgency follows warnings from EU officials about Beijing’s intense distortions of the global economy and signals a high-stakes period for EU-China relations. The EU is considering new trade instruments and a tougher stance to address concerns over fair competition and economic vulnerability. With Europe holding significant leverage due to China’s reliance on its market, leaders are now debating how to rebalance ties while managing the risks of retaliation and internal divisions.