By John Q. Hosedrinker 
EU leaders, including Council President Costa and Commission President von der Leyen, will travel to Beijing for a summit with President Xi Jinping in late July. This decision follows Xi’s unwillingness to visit Brussels, overriding the usual rotating summit location. The summit signifies a strong EU effort to re-engage with China amidst strained relations with the U.S., particularly due to President Trump’s trade policies and perceived support for Russia. No official date has been set, but the trip underscores the EU’s prioritization of direct dialogue with China.
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EU leaders are planning a trip to Beijing in late July for a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. This decision, while seemingly straightforward, reveals a complex interplay of geopolitical maneuvering and economic anxieties, particularly in light of the current strained relationship between the EU and the United States.
The summit’s location in Beijing, despite the usual rotation between Brussels and Beijing, highlights Xi Jinping’s reluctance to travel to Europe. This unwillingness underscores the considerable leverage China holds in these negotiations and suggests a calculated strategy on Beijing’s part to dictate the terms of engagement. The EU’s acceptance of this condition indicates a serious desire to re-engage with China, even under these terms.
This re-engagement is heavily influenced by the dramatic shift in US foreign policy under President Trump. The imposition of tariffs on EU goods, coupled with perceived alignment with Russia in the Ukrainian conflict, has driven a wedge between the EU and the US, leading European leaders to seek alternative partnerships. The EU is actively seeking to mitigate the economic fallout from Trump’s global tariff policy, which has raised concerns about a potential influx of cheap Chinese goods into the European market. This would place even greater pressure on European producers already facing challenges.
The upcoming summit builds upon prior communication between key EU and Chinese officials. Von der Leyen’s conversation with Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Šefčovič’s discussion with Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao point towards concrete steps to address economic concerns. These conversations focused on negotiating electric vehicle pricing and exploring investment cooperation within the automotive industry, underscoring the economic priorities driving this renewed engagement. It’s notable that, in these communications, traditional EU concerns like human rights have been downplayed, reflecting a shift towards a more pragmatic approach.
The decision to travel to Beijing represents a significant change in tone from the EU, particularly from Von der Leyen, who previously held a more hawkish stance towards China. The softer approach reflects the pressing need to find common ground and secure economic stability amid the uncertainties caused by Trump’s policies. The EU’s attempts to convince Xi to visit Brussels were consistently unsuccessful, further illustrating China’s strategic positioning in these talks. Xi’s planned visit to Russia, attending commemorative activities alongside President Putin, adds another layer of complexity to this dynamic.
The upcoming summit isn’t an isolated event but rather part of a broader trend of European leaders visiting China. Other visits from leaders such as Spain’s Prime Minister and the anticipated visit from France’s President Macron further emphasize the EU’s concerted effort to strengthen ties with China amidst the unstable global landscape. The timing of the summit, set for July, suggests careful consideration of various factors and a strategic decision to proceed despite lingering uncertainties.
The EU’s actions can be interpreted as a pragmatic response to a rapidly changing geopolitical environment. While the alliance with China may not be ideal, given concerns about human rights and Beijing’s close ties to Moscow, the escalating trade war with the US leaves the EU with limited options. The prospect of a significant trade deal between China and the EU, potentially excluding the US, is a significant factor driving this strategic shift. The long-term ramifications are uncertain, and the EU is navigating a delicate balance between economic self-interest and broader geopolitical considerations.
It’s a complicated situation. The EU is trying to balance its relationships with both the US and China, and the actions of one country significantly impact the relationship with the other. The July summit represents a gamble – a calculated risk to secure economic stability in a world where the traditional global order is rapidly shifting. The outcome of this summit will undoubtedly shape the future of EU-China relations and have far-reaching consequences for the global economy.