Summit in Beijing: EU and China face new challenges!

Summit in Beijing: EU and China face new challenges!

On July 24, 2025, Chinese leaders will host representatives of the European Union for a major summit in Beijing. State and party leader Xi Jinping will first speak to EU Council President António Costa and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. This will be followed by a dialogue between the EU delegates and Prime Minister Li Qiang. However, observers assume that the one-day summit will hardly deliver any concrete results as the tone in relations between the two sides has recently deteriorated. In addition to political meetings, a meeting between European and Chinese company representatives is also planned, which will focus on economic relations.

For Brussels, China's role in Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine and trade problems are particularly high priorities. China is the EU's second most important trading partner, while conversely the EU is also of considerable economic importance for China. But the balance sheet is negative for the EU: trade has a deficit of more than 300 billion euros. Additional uncertainties arise from Beijing's export controls on rare earths, which pose challenges for European industrial companies.

Growing tensions and challenges

The relationship between China and the EU is at a crossroads. As 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two sides, they will be marked by increasing tensions and challenges. Bilateral trade, which began at about $2.4 billion in 1975, has increased to an impressive $780 billion annually. But disputes over tariffs, human rights and geopolitical issues are putting a strain on the partnership. In particular, the dispute over government subsidies for Chinese electric vehicles is leading to the EU imposing tariffs, which China responds with retaliatory tariffs on European industries, including the French cognac sector.

The political climate in Brussels is also tense. After the European elections in 2024, China policy is controversial; While MPs from the Baltic states and Eastern Europe are calling for stricter trade barriers, representatives from Germany and France are calling for balanced engagement with China. Ursula von der Leyen leads the European Commission as it seeks to maintain a balance between diplomacy and strategic autonomy, while Kaja Kallas, the EU's new High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, will address the challenges of Chinese economic coercion from December 2024.

Summary of current risks

The tensions within the Commission, including between Kallas and Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis, are viewed critically by the Brussels press. There are also concerns about Beijing's unwillingness to engage in dialogue and lobbying, as well as allegations of economic coercion and espionage. Given these challenges, the EU plans to step up its efforts to combat foreign interference in security-related sectors. In this tense situation, EU support for Ukraine remains a key concern in the context of Russian aggression, while the domestic climate is increasingly strained by pending decisions, such as a general strike by Belgian unions on March 31.

The coming months are crucial for the stability of China-EU relations, subjecting both economic and political interaction to critical scrutiny.

How Small newspaper reports, several challenges face decision-makers in Brussels and Beijing, while EU reporter the growing tensions and complexity of the relationships are addressed.