MEPs push for continued engagement and concrete results on trade with China

In China, the European Parliament’s Trade Committee delegation discussed trade imbalances, market access concerns, as well as opportunities for dialogue.

Concluding the three-day visit, the Chair of the International Trade Committee (INTA) and head of the delegation Bernd Lange (S&D, DE), said: “The world has drastically changed since our last visit to China in 2018. The opportunity to exchange viewpoints on the continuation of the Trade and Investment Consultation (TIC) framework has come at a pivotal moment in EU-China relations. The recent TIC agreement on hybrid car imports is a good starting point in stabilising fair trade and producing benefits for people on the ground. However, we made clear to our Chinese counterparts that we expect to see more sectors following the same approach in the future, alongside the credible implementation of existing commitments. This is important not only for improving trade relations, but also to strengthen economic and political ties between us. I also welcome the fruitful exchanges on increasing transparency on subsidies and supply chains.”

Pascal Canfin (Renew, FR), INTA standing rapporteur for trade relations with China added: “It was important for the European Parliament to convey a sense of urgency during our mission, to stabilise and rebalance the EU-China trade relationship. Interdependence is at the heart of our relations; this is not necessarily a bad thing. However, the Chinese export model is simply not sustainable for the EU. Once we see an imbalance on one side, the EU can trigger measures. The EU’s strategy is based on dialogue, but we also need to see results. The TIC talks created momentum and produced concrete outcomes. We hope to continue in the same spirit and deliver more for our citizens on both sides, in the near future.”

In their meetings with Chinese counterparts, the MEPs said increasing the frequency of dialogue between the EU and China is essential in building trust on both sides, and they stressed that neither side would benefit from a trade conflict. The INTA delegation used the opportunity to expand on their concerns related to the obstacles facing EU companies in China, unpredictable supply chains, access to critical raw materials, excess production capacity, as well as Chinese decrees negatively impacting foreign companies. MEPs discussed EU regulations currently in development and which are intended to strengthen EU industrial capacity. Strengthening the multilateral trade framework within the WTO was also discussed.

Programme

The delegation met with Wang Wentao, Minister of Commerce; Cai Dafeng and Li Hongzhong, Vice-Chairs of the National Party Congress (NPC) Standing Committee; and Zhong Shan, NPC Chairperson of Financial and Economic Affairs Committee. They exchanged views with the EU Chamber of Commerce on the growing barriers facing EU companies based in China. In Hangzhou, a major Chinese technology hub, the delegation visited robotics company Unitree, as well as neurotech company BrainCo. In Shanghai, the delegation met with Lu Shan, the city’s Vice-Mayor.

Composition

INTA chair Bernd Lange was the head of the delegation. He was accompanied by: Pascal Canfin, INTA standing rapporteur for China; Juan Ignacio Zoido Álvarez (EPP, ES); Kathleen Van Brempt (S&D, BE); Enikő Győri (PfE, HU); Jaak Madison (ECR, ET); Markéta Gregorová (Greens/EFA, CS); Rudi Kennes (The Left, BE); Angelika Niebler (EPP, DE); Jörgen Warborn (EPP, SV); Brando Benifei (S&D, IT); and Engin Eroglu (Renew, DE), chair of the Delegation for Relations with the People’s Republic of China.

Context

The INTA delegation was in Beijing, Hangzhou and Shanghai (China) from 27 to 29 October. This was the second time an INTA delegation has visited China, the last time was in 2018. This was the fourth delegation from the European Parliament to travel to China in 2026. The timing was also pivotal for EU-China trade relations, considering the recent agreement on curbing hybrid car exports.

China is the EU's third largest trading partner for goods and services combined, while the EU is among China's top trading partners. The EU’s deficit with China has been growing steadily, recently reaching €1 billion a day. The EU’s economic relationship with China is perceived as unbalanced, due to a significant asymmetry in respective market openings.