EU AND CHINA HOLD SECOND TRADE AND INVESTMENT CONSULTATIONS
On 8 and 9 October 2026, Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šefčovič and China’s Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao held the second meeting of the EU-China Trade and Investment Consultations in Beijing. Both sides described the discussions as pragmatic and productive. They reaffirmed their commitment to handling differences within the framework of WTO rules, with a view to stabilising the relationship and making it more balanced. The third ministerial meeting will take place in March 2027, preceded by a ministerial video-conference in January.
Several outcomes are relevant for traders. Both sides will continue to explore tariff reductions or elimination for certain goods and have reached an understanding on trade in hybrid vehicles in a WTO compliant manner. They will also continue procedures on price undertakings in the electric vehicle anti-subsidy case. China will speed up recognition of regionalisation for eligible EU Member States, with a view to lifting restrictions on animal products affected by bluetongue disease. Dialogue continues on market access for medical devices, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
On export controls, China is willing to keep facilitating export licences for rare earths and permanent magnets through its fast-track mechanism, while the EU will work with Member State authorities to facilitate priority licences for dual-use goods to China. Both sides agreed to give advance warning and improve transparency on listing and delisting procedures, and to explore structural facilitation measures for compliant dual-use exports. Further understandings cover intellectual property, to be monitored through the bilateral working group, and cooperation on WTO reform.