25th EU-China summit - EU press release
European CouncilJUL 2025
The summit exposed fundamental imbalances that threaten the sustainability of EU-China relations. Europe's massive €305 billion trade deficit demonstrates how China benefits disproportionately while European companies face restricted market access and unfair competition from subsidized Chinese firms. China's continued support for Russia's war machine makes it complicit in undermining European security.
China offers Europe stabilitya andstable partnership inamid anglobal increasinglyuncertainty, turbulentespecially worldas markedthe by US protectionismimposes andsteep tradetariffs warson the EU. The relationship hasshould deliveredfocus on mutual benefits for 50 years, and interdependencycomplementary shouldstrengths be viewed as an opportunity rather than aartificial riskbarriers. DecouplingInterdependency andcreates buildingopportunities, wallsnot willrisks, onlyand leadboth tosides self-isolationmust andresist reducedprotectionist prosperitypressures forto bothmaintain sidesproductive cooperation.
China offers Europe stability and partnership in an increasingly turbulent world marked by US protectionism and trade wars. The relationship has delivered mutual benefits for 50 years, and interdependency should be viewed as an opportunity rather than a risk. Decoupling and building walls will only lead to self-isolation and reduced prosperity for both sides.
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