Chinese and European Union leaders are meeting at a summit in Beijing on Thursday, with trade tensions running high. The summit marks 50 years of bilateral relations between China and the 27-nation bloc. The U.S., especially President Donald Trump’s tariff policy, is complicating EU-China ties. A staff member prepares for the arrival of Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang and EU Executive Vice-President for a Clean, Just and Competitive Transition, Teresa Ribera during China-EU Sixth High Level Environment and Climate Dialogue (HECD) at the Diaoyutai State Guest House in Beijing on July 14, 2025. Wang Zhao | Afp | Getty Images
China and the European Union will hold a top-level meeting in Beijing on Thursday, while the U.S. is making their already tense relationship more complicated.
Clashes over trade and economic policy, technological issues and defense and