EU Signals Openness to China While Preparing for U.S. Trade Frictions

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasizes balancing trade ties with China and tough negotiations with the U.S. under Trump’s new tariffs.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen suggests room for constructive engagement with China to deepen trade and investment ties while continuing to address economic risks.
The EU aims to strike a fairer and more balanced relationship with China, despite past tensions over trade imbalances and Beijing’s support for Russia during the Ukraine conflict.
The EU is preparing for challenging negotiations with the U.S. following President Trump’s announcement of new tariffs targeting Chinese goods, with the EU potentially next in line.
EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic calls for early engagement with the U.S. to mitigate the impact of proposed tariffs, emphasizing the importance of the transatlantic trade relationship.
EU officials stress the need for unity in negotiations with the U.S., with leaders prioritizing shared interests in critical supply chains and emerging technologies while protecting EU interests.