EU-China trade
European business group calls for China to end self-reliance strategy
China should abandon a top-level strategy promoted by President Xi Jinping to increase self-reliance, or risk harming innovation and growth prospects, said a European business group on Thursday (23 September).
Commission bolsters toolbox against disruptive foreign subsidies
Companies subsidised by foreign governments will have to win EU authorities' green light to acquire European firms or to bid in public procurements, according to a European Commission proposal published on Wednesday (5 May).
WTO chief targets EU’s farm policy as part of global discussion on subsidies
The managing director of the World Trade Organisation, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said she wants to discuss China’s industrial subsidies but also state aid given to farmers, such as Europe’s Common Agricultural Policy, as part of efforts to improve the multilateral trading system.
European Commission defends China trade deal after MEP warning
The European Commission said Wednesday (27 January) that Beijing knows it must deliver on labour commitments in an EU-China investment deal, rebuffing criticism that Brussels had given too much ground on rights.
EU clears way for China investment pact
EU member states gave political backing to Brussels' planned investment pact with China on Monday (28 December), clearing the way for a deal between the world's biggest economic blocs.
Dombrovskis announces new defense instrument against trade ‘bullies’
The European Commission's executive vice-president, Valdis Dombrovskis, told the European Parliament on Friday (2 October) that he will put forward a new mechanism to protect the EU from the coercive manoeuvres of trade partners like US and China.
Chinese minister says EU investment deal is close
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Sunday (30 August) in Paris that a China-EU investment deal could be reached by the end of the year.
EU extends anti-dumping duties on Chinese steel
The European Commission said on Wednesday (4 August) it had extended anti-dumping duties on imports of Chinese corrosion-resistant steel to stop producers avoiding existing duties by slightly modifying the material they export.
No progress on trade, investment, Hong Kong as EU wraps-up tense China summit
No tangible progress was made on several key issues as leaders from the EU and China met for a tense virtual summit on Monday (22 June), amid tensions over tariffs targeting Chinese firms and Europe's fears over Beijing's growing global authority.
EU seeks to beef up its defences against foreign subsidies
The European Commission outlined on Wednesday (17 June) new tools to address the disruption caused by subsidised foreign companies operating in the single market, including the possibility to block the acquisition of European firms.
Virus magnifies challenges of doing business in China, EU group says
The COVID-19 epidemic has exacerbated already worrisome trends to doing business in China amid slowing revenue growth, regulatory obstacles and the clout of the state-owned sector, a European business group said on Wednesday (10 June).
Europe should temporarily ban Chinese takeovers, Weber says
The European Union should impose a temporary ban on Chinese takeovers of companies that are currently undervalued or have business problems because of the coronavirus crisis, the leader of the bloc's largest political alliance said on Sunday (17 May).
US exports to the EU still three times higher than to China
The export of US goods to the EU totalled $337 billion in 2019, an increase of 6% on the previous year, according to the Transatlantic Economy 2020 report, published on Thursday (26 March). At the same time, that figure was three times higher than the total of goods exported from the United States to China.
Coronavirus could hurt German economy due to its reliance on China
Since the coronavirus outbreak started, the Chinese economy has begun to suffer. As a result, Germany, and particularly its car industry, could also lose out as China is its most important trading partner. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Coronavirus threatens EU-China agreement in 2020
Concluding an EU-China investment deal this year would be a “real challenge”, even more as the coronavirus will force both sides to cancel negotiation rounds, warned the EU Chamber of Commerce in China.
EU, US, Japan agree on proposals to limit subsidies
The EU, US and Japan put forward on Tuesday (14 January) a proposal to limit industrial subsidies among WTO members and explored ways to address forced technology transfers, two issues at the core of ongoing trade frictions with China.
China calls for opening free trade talks with the EU
Chinese foreign affairs minister Wang Yi made a “plea” on Monday (16 December) for launching free trade talks with the EU, in parallel with the ongoing negotiations on an investment deal.
Does Germany depend too much on China?
While US President Donald Trump is taking aggressive action against China's trade policy, the German government is reluctant to comment on the recent events in Hong Kong because the German economy needs China. EURACTIV's partner Der Tagesspiegel reports.
Europe can be ‘power broker’ between US and China, Macron says
French President Emmanuel Macron has said that Europe can be a "power broker" between the United States and China, as the two countries continue to quarrel over the details of a future deal aimed to end the current trade impasse.
Macron plays ‘European’ card on state visit to China
French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Shanghai on Monday (4 November), accompanied by a European Commissioner and a German minister. Europeans finally feel they have a card to play against China, while Washington remains opposed to Beijing. EURACTIV's partner Ouest-France reports.
Huawei’s billion-euro pitch to Vestager
Chinese telecoms giant Huawei has released 2018 figures showing its presence in Europe provided a €12.8 billion stimulus to the EU's economy, backing the company's claim that it has become an essential element of Europe's digital ecosystem.
A new trade policy with teeth and muscle
Europe is prepared to step up its response to unfair trade practices and push for a renewed WTO, aiming to display a more assertive stance towards its partners in the future.
Hogan convinces MEPs by toughening up trade stance
Phil Hogan obtained late on Monday (30 September) the MEPs’ preliminary approval to become the EU's next Trade Commissioner, promising a tougher stance towards China to ensure the protection of European values, and environmental principles in particular.