EU and China launch trade talks in Brussels to rebalance market access

The EU and China have held the first ministerial-level Trade and Investment Consultations in Brussels, with European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security and Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency Maros Šefčovič meeting China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao. The talks were presented as a ministerial channel to strengthen dialogue on trade and investment policy and to make the bilateral relationship more balanced and stable.

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During the first meeting, the sides said they needed to address challenges affecting the trade relationship and pursue practical solutions. They identified four initial workstreams under the consultations: trade and investment balancing, export controls, intellectual property rights and WTO reform.

The EU and China also agreed to establish a joint monitoring mechanism. That mechanism is intended to exchange relevant data, monitor trade flows and support technical work to improve transparency, enhance mutual trust and manage trade frictions.

Both sides said increased market access measures and initiatives could help rebalance the relationship, and they exchanged lists of market access issues while agreeing to continue consultations on specific concerns.

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