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On Monday, July 21, 2025, China officially confirmed it will host a top-level summit with the European Union in Beijing later this week, commemorating 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two sides. The summit, scheduled for July 24, will be co-chaired by Chinese Premier Li Qiang, with President Xi Jinping expected to meet European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa.
🧭 Strategic Objectives
The 25th China-EU Summit aims to:
- Address ongoing trade disputes, including tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and EU concerns over market access and industrial overcapacity
- Discuss climate cooperation, biodiversity, and the green transition
- Reaffirm support for multilateralism and a rules-based international order
⚠️ Trade and Geopolitical Context
EU-China relations have faced strain in recent years due to:
- Human rights sanctions imposed by the EU in 2021 over Xinjiang, followed by Chinese countermeasures
- Disputes over rare earth exports, medical devices, and agricultural goods
- EU concerns about China’s support for Russia’s war economy and economic coercion
The summit follows recent U.S. tariff hikes under President Donald Trump, prompting both China and the EU to seek greater economic alignment amid global trade volatility.
📈 Economic Significance
- In 2024, EU-China trade exceeded €845 billion, accounting for over 30% of global trade in goods and services
- The EU currently faces a €400 billion trade deficit with China, driven by restricted access and subsidized Chinese exports
The summit is expected to test both sides’ willingness to recalibrate their relationship and pursue a more balanced and reciprocal economic partnership.
EC President Ursula von der Leyen and Chinese Premier Li Qiang
