EU-China Relations Hit Boiling Point as Leaders Clash Over Trade, Ukraine, and Global Influence

The 25th EU-China summit in Beijing marks 50 years of diplomatic ties but is overshadowed by escalating trade tensions, concerns over China's support for Russia, and calls for a 'rebalancing' of economic relations. European leaders, including Ursula von der Leyen, pressed President Xi Jinping for concrete solutions to address the EU's trade deficit with China and urged Beijing to use its influence to help end the war in Ukraine. Both sides acknowledged the importance of their partnership, which accounts for nearly a third of global trade and GDP, but expectations for major breakthroughs remain low. The summit also highlighted the EU's desire to assert itself on climate leadership and global stability, especially as US policies complicate the geopolitical landscape. Despite the diplomatic rhetoric, the meeting underscored deep-seated mistrust and the urgent need for a new approach to EU-China relations.