Tensions Rise as China-EU Relations Face Uncertain Future

The relationship between China and the European Union (EU) is at a critical juncture, with the EU's trade chief calling for more openness and fairness from Beijing. The EU registered a record bilateral trade of 865 billion euros with China in 2022, but the trade deficit of almost 400 billion euros has raised concerns. The EU recently opened an investigation into Chinese subsidies to electric car manufacturers, which Beijing criticized as "protectionist." The EU aims to de-risk its strategic dependencies on China without decoupling, emphasizing the need for fair trading practices. Both sides are urged to engage in constructive dialogue to resolve the issues.