China’s top diplomat Wang Yi is set to visit Europe starting Monday, aiming to reinforce ties with the European Union, which Beijing describes as an “anchor of stability” in a world facing mounting geopolitical and economic turmoil.
Wang’s diplomatic tour will include stops in Brussels — home to the EU’s headquarters — as well as France and Germany. The trip comes as China seeks to bolster relations with Europe amid its ongoing strategic rivalry with the United States.
Despite efforts to reset relations, major divisions persist. A key point of contention is the substantial trade imbalance between the two sides, with the EU recording a $357.1 billion deficit in 2023. China’s close partnership with Russia, especially amid Moscow’s prolonged war in Ukraine, remains another serious sticking point.
Speaking on Friday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun described the current international climate as one marked by “unilateralism, protectionism, and bullying behaviour” — a veiled critique aimed at the United States and its policies under former President Donald Trump.
“In such a volatile global landscape, China and the EU must uphold peace, stability, multilateralism, free trade, and the international rules-based order,” Guo said, positioning the two sides as vital forces for global balance.
High-Level Meetings Across Europe
In Brussels, Wang will meet with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas for a “high-level strategic dialogue.” In Germany, he will hold discussions with Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, marking his first visit since the country’s conservative-led government took office in May.
His French stop will include talks with Europe and Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, who visited China in March.
The war in Ukraine is expected to dominate talks. While China continues to claim neutrality in the conflict, Western leaders have criticized Beijing for providing economic and diplomatic support to Moscow and have called on China to take a firmer stance against the Kremlin’s aggression.
Mounting Trade Disputes
China-EU relations have further soured over trade disputes. The EU has toughened its stance on what it describes as unfair practices by Beijing. After Brussels imposed tariffs on Chinese electric vehicle (EV) imports, China responded with counter-tariffs — including duties on French cognac.
Though a tentative agreement on cognac has reportedly been reached, France’s economy ministry noted it has not yet been formally approved by China’s commerce ministry. The outcome is believed to be linked to ongoing EU-China negotiations over EV-related trade.
Tensions escalated further this month after the EU barred Chinese companies from participating in public tenders for medical equipment contracts exceeding €5 million ($5.8 million). The move was in retaliation for restricted access to China’s medical market and covers a €150 billion industry across Europe, from surgical tools to diagnostic machines.
In response, Beijing accused the EU of applying “double standards,” deepening the strain between the two trading giants.
