Maros Sefcovic, the European Union's trade commissioner, arrived in Beijing on Thursday to engage in discussions over the trade deficit of this bloc with China for two days.
The purpose of the trip to China
Sefcovic tweeted after meeting with China's Minister of Commerce, Wang Wentao, stating: "We are working hard to balance EU-China trade." He also added that achieving tangible results from these talks is "very critical."
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Sefcovic announced that the goal of this trip, which continues until Friday, is to address the "unbearable" trade deficit that, according to EU statistics, is at its highest level since 2022.
Trade tensions and efforts for cooperation
China exports about one billion euros more in goods and services to the EU each day than vice versa. Many in Europe attribute this to unfair trade practices by Beijing, including the use of government subsidies and low pricing to compete with European rivals.
This meeting comes after three months of discussions between EU and Chinese officials regarding the trade imbalance. Sefcovic had previously stated that he was seeking tangible results by October.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry called for cooperation and openness in negotiations on Thursday, stating: "Resolving economic and trade disputes through dialogue and equal consultation benefits both China and the EU." The ministry's spokesperson, Mao Ning, said at a press conference: "We hope the European side will move towards solutions together with China."
Sefcovic also met on Thursday with representatives of EU companies in China. He said: "The message in this meeting was clear: the need to improve access to the Chinese market while strengthening our economic security."
In addition to the trade deficit, Sefcovic's discussions in China will also focus on ongoing disputes regarding hybrid vehicles. According to diplomats, China has rejected calls to voluntarily limit the rapid export of hybrid vehicles to the EU.
Brussels may temporarily restrict imports of Chinese cars through quotas and tariffs, a matter that Beijing strongly opposes.
Earlier this week, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron called for stricter measures from the EU to address unfair trade practices that they say weaken European companies and increase the bloc's economic dependencies.
Last month, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned that the current trade imbalance "leads to deindustrialization in the heart of industrial Europe." EU leaders are set to discuss the bloc's relations with China at a meeting next week in Brussels.
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