Business & Finance
EU envoy holds Beijing talks on trade deficit and hybrid car curbs
Maros Sefcovic's two-day visit comes as the EU's trade deficit with China reaches its highest level since 2022.
Latest update: EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic held talks in Beijing addressing the trade deficit after China rejected voluntary curbs on hybrid car exports.
The short version
- EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic is in Beijing for two days of talks on the bloc's trade deficit with China.[Deutsche Welle]
- Sefcovic said the deficit is unsustainable and at its highest since 2022, according to EU figures, while China exports about €1 billion more a day to the EU.[Deutsche Welle]
- Beijing rejects claims that state subsidies and price dumping drive the imbalance, and calls for equal dialogue to resolve disputes.[Deutsche Welle]
- Diplomats say China rejected voluntary limits on hybrid car exports, and Beijing vows a resolute response if the EU goes ahead with restrictions.[Deutsche Welle · Al Jazeera]
Key facts
- Sefcovic arrived in Beijing for two days of talks aimed at addressing the EU's trade deficit with China.[Deutsche Welle]
- According to EU figures, the trade deficit is at its highest level since 2022, with China exporting about €1 billion more a day in goods and services to the EU.[Deutsche Welle]
- Beijing has rejected claims that unfair practices such as state subsidies and price dumping cause the imbalance.[Deutsche Welle]
- China's Foreign Ministry called for trade differences to be resolved through equal dialogue and consultation.[Deutsche Welle]
- French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged the EU to prepare a credible instrument that could be quickly activated against countries that harm the bloc economically.[Al Jazeera]
- China's commerce ministry vowed a resolute response to safeguard its industries if the EU goes ahead with restrictions on Chinese companies or products.[Al Jazeera]
What remains uncertain
- The reporting does not establish whether the EU will impose limits on Chinese hybrid car exports, or what form any limits would take.[Deutsche Welle · Al Jazeera]
- The outcome of the Beijing talks is not reported in the provided articles.[Deutsche Welle · Al Jazeera]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.