The key facts

  • Bernd Lange (S&D) hopes for a comprehensive EU–China agreement by March next year
  • Šefčovič's talks in China showed some progress
  • Disagreements: electric vehicles, overcapacity, rare earth metals, market access

Talks as a starting point

Bernd Lange, a Member of the European Parliament from the S&D group and chair of the international trade committee, assessed the recent EU-China talks as a 'good starting point'. He hopes the parties can conclude a 'comprehensive agreement' to settle the trade dispute by March next year.

Progress and remaining disagreements

The recent round of talks in China, conducted by European Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič, showed certain progress and opened a potential opportunity to reset the increasingly strained trade relations. However, tensions persist on a whole range of issues: Chinese electric vehicles, industrial overcapacity, rare earth metals and mutual market access. Brussels is seeking greater reciprocity from Beijing in trade.

Assessment of Beijing's reliability as a negotiating partner

Lange acknowledged that reaching an agreement with China is 'very difficult', but noted that once an agreement is reached, Beijing honours its commitments.