Handelspolitik: EU-Kommissar dringt in China auf ausgeglicheneren Handel

EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic kicked off his China trip by advocating for more balanced trade with the country. On X, he wrote that his first objective in China was to start reducing the EU's unsustainable trade deficit. Sefcovic first exchanged views with EU business representatives in China, stating the message was clear: improving access to the Chinese market was needed, while also bolstering EU economic security.

Beijing promotes dialogue, with the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs advocating that open cooperation and mutual dialogue are in the common interest. During Sefcovic's visit through Friday, talks with China's Trade Minister Wang Wentao are scheduled, in addition to the trade imbalance and the ongoing dispute over hybrid vehicles.

Chinese demands to voluntarily limit its rapidly growing exports of hybrid vehicles have so far been ignored. A temporary protective measure, limiting Chinese hybrid imports through quotas and high tariffs on excess shipments, is now on the table, though it may only be implemented if applied to other trade partners like Japan, South Korea, and Britain.

Germany and France are particularly pushing for a more decisive approach if China does not compromise in the trade dispute, demanding a new instrument that could quickly restrict access to the EU market for certain products. The EU currently imports around €360 billion more from China than it exports, accusing Beijing of unfair competition through state subsidies. China, however, warns of potential EU protectionist measures.