World: China trying to improve trade relations

World World: China has stepped up efforts to improve its strained trade relations with the European Union (EU) amid the ongoing trade war with the US. The EU is the last major open market for China.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, commenting for the first time since the US tariff attack during a visit to Beijing by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, called on the EU to protect globalization and oppose “unilateral threats.”

The two sides have recently resumed talks on the minimum price of electric vehicles. China’s EV exports fell by 15% in January-February 2025 from the previous year, due to tariffs of up to 35.3% that took effect from October 2024.

In addition, new working groups have been established between China and the EU on issues such as electric vehicle supply chain investment and agri-food product market access. EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also softened her stance on the Ukraine issue, inviting China to make a “meaningful contribution” to the peace process.