About: EU-China relations
Europe strengthens monitoring of foreign investment
The European Parliament approved on Thursday (14 February) the proposal to screen foreign investment at EU level, clearing the path for closer monitoring of third country companies willing to invest in EU’s critical sectors.
Commission says Europe should be ‘worried’ about Huawei
Europe should be “worried” about Huawei and other Chinese companies, given the mandatory cooperation they have to maintain with Chinese intelligence services, European Commission Vice-President for Digital Single Market Andrus Ansip said on Friday (7 December).
China seeks allies in Spain and Portugal despite EU reservations
China, currently engaged in a trade war with the United States, is seeking to strengthen its ties with Spain and Portugal as other European Union members are trying to restrict Chinese investments.
Chinese market ‘too big to ignore’ despite IP concerns
Foreign companies have encountered problems related to the protection of intellectual property in China but most, if not all, want to continue doing business in the country because of its size and fast pace of growth, EURACTIV.com has learnt from their representatives.
EU’s troublemakers find comfort in Chinese arms
Cornered by their EU partners, Italy, Hungary and the UK were welcomed with open arms by Chinese President Xi Jinping during his landmark trade event held in Shanghai this week, where around 3,000 companies from more than 130 countries are taking part in the first China International Import Expo (CIIE).
Commission tells China to deliver on promise to open up its market
EU Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Vytenis Andriukaitis told EURACTIV.com that China should deliver on its promise to open up its market, as European companies complain about the difficulties they face in the country.
China responds to Trump’s barriers by opening its wallet
Chinese president Xi Jinping promised on Monday (5 November) to continue opening up his nation's economy and to increase imports by fuelling citizens’ spending power, as a response to growing protectionism and unilateralism.
Expert: US-China dispute ‘is not a trade but economic war’
The ongoing trade dispute is an instrument of cold economic warfare launched by the US to “contain” China, and it could lead to the fragmentation of the global economic and financial system, warned Alicia García-Herrero, a senior fellow at Bruegel think tank.
Commission scraps tariffs on Chinese solar panels
The European Commission decided on Friday (31 August) to eliminate anti-dumping tariffs on Chinese solar panels, saying the decision will help the EU achieve its renewable energy goals.
China, EU reaffirm Paris climate commitment, vow more cooperation
China and the European Union on Monday reaffirmed their commitment to the Paris climate change pact and called other signatories to do the same, saying action against rising global temperatures had become more important than ever.
China presses Europe for anti-Trump alliance on trade
China is putting pressure on the EU to issue a strong joint statement against US President Donald Trump’s trade policies at a summit later this month but is facing resistance, European officials said.
EU and China pledge to deepen relationship despite trade tensions
The EU and China said on Friday (1 June) they would expand trade and investment cooperation amid the global trade dispute triggered by US tariffs. But as part of the efforts to address outstanding trade disputes, Europe will present a complaint before the World Trade Organisation against China’s intellectual property practices.
Europe raises transparency issues with China’s Belt and Road Initiative
China's massive Belt and Road Initiative is seen as a unique chance to strengthen economic cooperation between Beijing and Europe and a way to spur trade and the economies of the countries involved. But some consider it a strategic and self-interested tool for China to extend its sphere of influence.
Chinese firm Huawei leads European patent applications
For the first time in the history of the European Patent Office, a Chinese company came on top in terms of patent applications in 2017, a year that saw a new record in the number of requests for intellectual property protection in Europe.
EU, China bet on tourism to boost trade, ease tensions
At a time of increased tensions between Brussels and Beijing, the two partners met in Venice on Friday (19 January) to launch the EU-China Tourism Year, hoping to patch up or better revitalise relations.
EU launches investigation on Chinese subsidies for e-bikes
The European Commission launched an investigation on Thursday (21 December) into whether Chinese exporters of electronic bicycles (e-bikes) benefited from excessive state subsidies, increasing trade tensions between Brussels and Beijing.
China launches largest carbon market in the world
China launched what will become the world’s largest carbon market on Tuesday (19 December), surpassing the EU’s flagship market mechanism to cap and trade emissions. The scheme is part of a host of major policies China is using to peak its GHGs by 2030.
Chinese waste ban ‘wake-up call’ for European recycling
The EU has a trash problem. It used to ship 60% of plastics and 13% of paper collected for recycling to China, but Beijing has decided to curb its appetite for foreign waste.
China to invest in UK despite Brexit turbulences
While the EU-UK talks to agree on an orderly divorce have stalled, Chinese investors are willing to pour more money in the exiting member state over the coming years despite the uncertainty around its future relationship with the bloc.
EU ambassador urges China to match anti-protectionism talk with reform
Europe hopes China’s upcoming Communist Party Congress will help to speed up the country’s market reforms, the European Union’s ambassador to China said, calling Chinese criticism of an EU plan to screen foreign investment “unreasonable”.
Solar industry says EU tariffs on Chinese imports will raise panel prices
Europe’s solar industry has condemned an EU vote to impose another round of duties on Chinese imports, just weeks before a US trade panel is due to rule on similar tariffs. EURACTIV’s partner The Guardian reports.
EU imposes import duties on some Chinese steel to counter subsidies
The European Union has imposed provisional import duties of as much as 28.5% on certain Chinese corrosion-resistant steels after an eight-month investigation found that the products benefited from unfair subsidies.
Steel sector faces heated summer as trade war looms
The world's most powerful nations risk failing to make enough progress on tackling steel overcapacity by an August deadline, which is seen by the United States as a potential reason to start a trade war.