Von der Leyen relies on a “pragmatic” relationship with China

In Beijing, EU Commission President von der Leyen advocated a 'pragmatic' relationship with China and at the same time called for economic rebalancing and pressure on Moscow to end the war in Ukraine.

In a press conference during the EU-China summit, von der Leyen said that the problem of Chinese "overcapacity" has become even more "urgent" due to the US tariffs announced by Donald Trump. These tariffs are causing concern among European exporters, who fear that cheap Chinese products will be diverted and dumped on the EU market.

"What I take away from the summit is that, despite our differences – and yes, we have differences – we can achieve a lot together. We can find pragmatic solutions," she said. Brussels remains "ready to deepen bilateral cooperation and build a more balanced, stable relationship" with the world's second-largest economy.

China's high trade surplus with the EU remains a central point of conflict. According to the Commission, the EU's trade deficit with China amounted to €305 billion in 2024—an increase from €297 billion the previous year.

Von der Leyen also stressed that she “expects” Beijing to put pressure on Moscow to start negotiations to end the war, which has now lasted three and a half years.

The war has "direct and dangerous implications for Europe's security," she said. Together with EU Council President António Costa, she expressed to Chinese President Xi Jinping the European expectation that Beijing "uses its influence to persuade Russia to agree to a ceasefire, to negotiations, and to end the bloodshed."

"How China continues to position itself on Putin's war will be a decisive factor for our future relations," von der Leyen continued. At the same time, she reiterated Europe's goal of "carefully implementing" its own " de-risking " strategy toward China.

In a statement by the Chinese state agency Xinhua on Xi's talks with von der Leyen and Costa, it said that China's "opening up will create new opportunities and potential for cooperation with the EU".

At the same time, however, Xi warned that "mutual dependence is not a risk" and that "cutting off supply chains only leads to self-isolation." The report made no mention of Russia or the war in Ukraine.

Relations between the EU and China—already strained by disputes over trade, human rights, and Beijing's growing proximity to Moscow—have deteriorated significantly in recent months. Triggered, among other things, by Chinese export controls on critical raw materials, which caused unrest in European industry.

Von der Leyen stated that, in addition to a general declaration on joint efforts to combat climate change, the summit also produced an agreement to establish a special "export delivery mechanism." This would enable European companies to contact the EU Commission "immediately" in the event of delays in granting export licenses for critical raw materials.

The mechanism is “a very pragmatic step forward in one of the central concerns of the European economy,” said von der Leyen.

EU Council President Costa supported von der Leyen's statements: "Dialogue is the only way to create mutual understanding, identify problems and find solutions," he said.

"The world needs close cooperation between the EU and China," Costa said. "That's why we're here."

(mm,jl)