Von der Leyen: EU-China Ties at a 'Turning Point' Amid Tense Summit Talks

At a high-stakes summit in Beijing, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the EU’s relationship with China a “turning point” as she met with Chinese President Xi Jinping to mark 50 years of diplomatic ties. The one-day meeting, cut short at China’s request, highlighted growing strains over trade imbalances and geopolitical issues.

Von der Leyen pressed for fairer trade, pointing to the EU’s massive €305.8 billion ($360 billion) trade deficit with China in 2024. “Our partnership has grown, but so have the imbalances,” she told Xi at the Great Hall of the People, pushing for solutions to tackle market distortions and China’s overproduction, especially in electric vehicles.

She also raised concerns about China’s recent limits on rare earth exports, which have disrupted European supply chains.

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Xi urged the EU to make “smart strategic decisions” and focus on trust and communication in a complex global landscape, according to China’s state-run CCTV. The summit came after months of trade spats, with von der Leyen previously accusing China of flooding markets and supporting Russia’s war efforts. Despite her earlier sharp tone, she took a more hopeful approach on X, expressing a desire for “cooperation that benefits both sides.”

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European Council President Antonio Costa joined von der Leyen in talks with Xi and Premier Li Qiang. The leaders also discussed the Ukraine conflict and climate goals, hoping to issue a joint statement on climate action before the COP30 summit. China’s Xinhua news agency framed the EU as a key partner, downplaying competition.

With ongoing trade disputes and a shortened summit, expectations for major progress were low. The EU, grappling with global trade challenges worsened by U.S. tariffs under President Donald Trump, sees China as both a partner and a rival. While Brussels pushes for fair trade and clarity on geopolitical issues, China’s firm stance suggests few immediate compromises, leaving the path forward for EU-China relations uncertain.