EU Trade Commissioner Mission to China

On March 27-28, 2025, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šefčovič visited Beijing to meet with Vice Premier He Lifeng, Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, and Customs Minister Sun Meijun. This visit, the first by a member of the new European Commission to China, comes at a time of growing trade tensions and aims to rebalance economic relations between the EU and China.

Talks focused on key issues, including market access for European companies, the need for fair competition, and strengthening investments in the electric vehicle supply chain. With the EU’s trade deficit with China reaching €304.5 billion in 2024, Brussels seeks better access to Chinese economic opportunities and measures to counter market distortions caused by Chinese subsidies.

A dedicated dialogue on the electric vehicle supply chain was launched, underlining the sector’s strategic importance for European competitiveness and the energy transition. In parallel, a working group on agri-food trade was announced to facilitate access for European products to the Chinese market and address regulatory and sanitary concerns.

Another key point of discussion was the potential revision of the 2024 EU-China Customs Cooperation and Mutual Assistance Agreement. A roadmap may be developed to improve transparency and streamline trade exchanges between the two economic blocs.

As the EU and China celebrate the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in 2025, their economic partnership remains complex. China is the EU’s third-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching €730 billion, yet structural imbalances persist. In 2024, Chinese direct investment in the EU hit a record €185 billion, while European investment in China remained stable at €184 billion.

Amid these challenges, Brussels hopes that these discussions will lay the groundwork for a more balanced trade relationship, ensuring fair economic opportunities for European businesses and strengthening the EU’s global competitiveness.