Overview
- EU trade chief Maroš Šefčovič said Commerce Minister Wang Wentao accepted an invitation for talks in Brussels after a nearly two‑hour call.
- Both sides will intensify contacts at all levels to address Beijing’s expanded export controls on rare earths and magnets announced earlier in October.
- Šefčovič said EU firms filed about 2,000 priority license applications with Chinese authorities and only roughly half were properly addressed.
- The European Commission’s 2026 work programme includes starting stockpiles of critical raw materials used across defense and carmaking.
- Tensions also reflect Dutch action affecting Nexperia, which EU officials hope to keep from escalating the broader trade and tech dispute.