Top European and Chinese trade officials are preparing for another round of talks early next month, signaling a fresh attempt by both sides to counter the mounting tariff threats from Washington.
According to an EU spokesperson, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and Maros Sefcovic, the European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, plan to meet on the sidelines of a WTO ministerial gathering in Paris in early June.
The meeting would mark the third direct conversation between the two this year, following Sefcovic’s trip to Beijing in March and a virtual follow-up in April with senior Chinese officials.
The renewed diplomatic engagement comes as U.S. President Donald Trump agreed to give the EU time until July 9 before imposing sweeping 50% tariffs, a move announced after a phone conversation with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. European leaders are also scheduled to visit Beijing for a summit within the same month.
Beijing has been making a concerted push to shore up global alliances, extending rare access to senior policymakers for European groups and promising enhancements to China’s business environment for foreign investors—a bid to ease concerns as Washington ratchets up trade pressure.
Nonetheless, European trade officials remain cautious. Despite China’s renewed rhetoric and high-level outreach, EU negotiators continue to highlight persistent disputes over state aid to Chinese firms and market barriers, with many citing promise fatigue as they await concrete changes.
