Editor: In recent months, exchanges between China and the EU have intensified, as traditional transatlantic alliances face unprecedented strains under the turbulence brought by Trump-era policies. What does this mean for Sino-EU relations, which had fallen into an unfamiliar crisis in recent years? Have the two sides truly returned to earlier levels of cooperation, or do underlying tensions remain?
This article offers some perspective. The following news piece is from China’s state broadcaster, CCTV.
Since the start of the year, China has seen a flurry of visits from European officials, including the prime ministers and foreign ministers of Spain, Portugal, France, and Denmark. Senior officials from the UK, Italy, and the EU have also engaged in extensive dialogue with Beijing. Last month, the EU launched negotiations with China over electric vehicle imports—a move analysts view as a sign of Europe seeking to ease tensions with Beijing.
On May 16, Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng wrapped up visits to Switzerland and France. The very next day, Denmark’s foreign minister arrived in Beijing. At the recent 10th China-France High-Level Economic and Financial Dialogue, Paris reaffirmed its commitment to China ties, and the two countries signed agreements on poultry trade and breeding cooperation. Switzerland also expressed interest in accelerating talks on upgrading its free trade agreement with China to stabilize global supply chains. Earlier this month, the European Parliament and China simultaneously lifted restrictions on bilateral exchanges. Beijing also welcomed a potential joint visit from European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, along with a new round of China-EU leaders’ talks.
Against the backdrop of rising U.S. tariffs that are disrupting global trade, these high-level visits and policy signals suggest growing momentum in China-EU cooperation.
Europe Eyes Autonomy and Diversified Partnerships
In recent years, Europe had aligned closely with Washington’s tougher stance on China. In 2019, the EU labelled China a “systemic rival,” and later froze the Comprehensive Agreement on Investment. Europe also adopted U.S.-style narratives such as “overcapacity” and launched anti-subsidy probes.
But with Donald Trump’s return to power and renewed “America First” protectionism—including sweeping tariffs and U.S. pullbacks from NATO—Europe is beginning to reassess its reliance on the U.S.
“Europe now realizes it can no longer fully depend on America,” said Zhao Yongsheng, a researcher at the University of International Business and Economics. “It needs strategic, defense, and economic autonomy—and a diversified set of global partners. China is seen as a reliable one.”
Cooperation Enhanced as Disparities Remain
In a congratulatory message for the 50th anniversary of ties, EU leaders, who previously emphasized “de-risking” from China, described the relationship as a vital trade partnership. They also expressed hope for greater cooperation to tackle shared global challenges.
Despite occasional friction, China-EU collaboration has made substantial progress over the past five decades in trade, politics, and science. The two sides have built mechanisms for leaders' summits, five major high-level dialogues, and more than 70 working-level exchanges.
Economic ties remain the backbone of the relationship. Bilateral trade has grown more than 300-fold since diplomatic relations were established. Trade has expanded from basic goods to advanced sectors like machinery, automobiles, and photovoltaics. According to Chinese customs data, trade between China and the EU reached 1.3 trillion yuan ($180 billion) in Q1 2025, equivalent to over 10 million yuan every minute.
“Some say investing in China is risky,” said Li Difan, vice president of the EU Chamber of Commerce in China. “But we believe not investing in China is the real risk. Our cooperation now spans nearly every sector.” Li emphasized that China and Europe are highly complementary in the economic and industrial fields, and for both sides, this has achieved mutual benefit and win-win results.
Last month, China and the EU signed a Memorandum of Understanding to Enhance Cooperation on Emission Trading, committing €15 billion over three years to joint projects in hydrogen energy, storage, and carbon capture, forming what could become the world’s largest cross-border green tech alliance.
Still, challenges persist. Differences in political perception, policy inconsistencies within the EU, the Ukraine crisis, and the broader China-U.S.-EU triangle all present uncertainties.
Bridging Divides Through Rational Dialogue
Cui Hongjian, a professor at Beijing Foreign Studies University, believes these differences are inherent but manageable. “China and Europe have formed a deeply interdependent economic relationship,” he said. “The key is to maintain a partnership that’s independent of third-party pressures and rooted in strategic dialogue.”
He emphasized the need to stick to the spirit of a “comprehensive strategic partnership” and seek common ground in a multipolar world.
China and the EU represent two major forces for multipolarity, two key markets supporting globalization, and two great civilizations advocating diversity. Their relationship has become one of the most influential bilateral dynamics in the world.
Far from being a reaction to short-term events, China-EU engagement is the result of deep, long-term convergence in trade, supply chains, and multilateral governance. History shows that only by upholding independence, mutual respect, and shared development can the two sides achieve mutual benefit and bring greater stability to the world.
The article was first published in Chinese on Lanting Guancha, a feature from CCTV news. The views don't necessarily reflect those of BejingReviewDossier.
