Can China get the US out of the way of better ties with Europe?
China has ramped up efforts to mend ties with the European Union ahead of a planned
bilateral summit later this month, seeking to capitalise on
transatlantic disaffection to promote EU cooperation and counter Washington's unilateralism.
But while Beijing's conciliatory overtures to Brussels are distinct from its adversarial stance towards Washington, a long-awaited reset in China-EU ties remains largely out of reach.
Brussels has taken a cautious de-risking approach towards Beijing, shaped by its complex alignment with Washington and persistent concerns over China's global rise. Progress is also constrained by structural mistrust, diverging global priorities and
Beijing's strategic tilt towards Moscow amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine
In the absence of substantive shifts in strategic posture from either side, observers warn of missed opportunities to recalibrate the partnership for this year's landmark 50th anniversary of China-EU diplomatic relations.
01:02
J.D. Vance says 'threat vis-a-vis Europe is not Russia, it's not China'
J.D. Vance says 'threat vis-a-vis Europe is not Russia, it's not China'
Hopes were initially high for this year's China-EU summit, scheduled for Beijing on Thursday, particularly as surging trade and geopolitical tensions forced the event's cancellation last year.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South China Morning Post
4 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
China-EU relations at 50
China-EU relations at 50 This year marks half a century of formal diplomatic relations between China and the European Union as well as the 25th anniversary of the founding of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China. In this series, the Post examines the ties between the two powers.
South China Morning Post
5 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
‘Rebalancing' needed in China-Europe relationship, chamber president says
This year marks half a century of formal diplomatic relations between China and the European Union, as well as the 25th anniversary of the founding of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China. In this entry of our series examining ties between the two powers, Ji Siqi speaks to the chamber's president about business sentiment in a tense period for global trade. Advertisement The president of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China – the chief non-profit organisation advocating on behalf of the continent's businesses – has said the relationship between Beijing and Brussels has reached a tipping point, encouraging the two to realign their collaborative model and distribute benefits in a more equitable manner. Jens Eskelund said there is a strong perception among the European population that China is taking most of the spoils from bilateral trade, as the EU's manufacturing sector struggles to compete with a glut of cheaper goods. 'When we look back at the past 50 years of the bilateral relationship, it has created enormous value for both sides,' Eskelund told the Post on the eve of the chamber's 25th anniversary. 'Chinese exports have created jobs and wealth in China, and given the average European higher purchasing power. 'Now the question is, if we are in a situation where very intense pressure from China leads to losses for European companies … then, of course it becomes, 'Hang on, why are we doing this?'' Advertisement The relationship between China and the EU has been fraught in recent years, despite continuous dialogue as both sides seek to avoid the sort of full-blown trade war being waged by US President Donald Trump.
South China Morning Post
6 hours ago
- South China Morning Post
China's shipbuilding lead endures, but market share dips amid US port-fee threat
China retained its leading position in the global shipbuilding market during the first half of the year, according to data from the industry association, despite a decline in market share caused by buyers' concerns over the threat of US port fees on Chinese-built vessels. It secured 68.3 per cent of new vessel orders in the global market in the first six months of the year, compared with 74.7 per cent in the same period last year, China's shipbuilding industry association said on Monday. The order volume fell by 18.2 per cent, year on year, to 44.33 million deadweight tonnes. Analysts have attributed the decline in market share to a decrease in orders for oil and LNG tankers, but still believe in China's competitive advantages. 'Shipowners are cautious about choosing shipyards for their tanker orders, given the US' prominent role in oil and LNG export,' said Wu Jialu, chief analyst at Citic Futures. Considering that the US port fee targeting Chinese-built vessels is set to take effect on October 14 , Wu said such concern could have a medium- to long-term impact on China's shipbuilding industry. The US, a major oil exporter, reached a record high in crude oil exports in 2024, exceeding an annual average of 4.1 million barrels per day, according to data from the US Energy Information Administration. It also remained the world's largest LNG exporter in 2024, exporting an average of 11.9 billion cubic feet per day, the data showed.
