EU summit: Leaders to discuss Ukraine, global issues
06/18/2026 June 18, 2026 EU leaders to discuss trade imbalance with China At their summit in Brussels, European Union leaders are expected to discuss new
06/18/2026 June 18, 2026 EU leaders to discuss trade imbalance with China At their summit in Brussels, European Union leaders are expected to discuss new, tougher measures needed to curb the bloc's growing trade deficit with China and its reliance on rare earths and other critical supplies from the country.
According to Reuters, EU diplomats say there is a gradual convergence of views among the 27 EU members that the goods trade deficit with China is problematic. The deficit now amounts to approximately €1 billion ($1.15 billion) per day.
The situation is more critical given that transatlantic tariffs are diminishing access to the US market. In 2025, China's goods trade surplus with the EU reached €360.6 billion, marking a
15% increase from 2024. Additionally, it expanded by 10% in the first four months of this year, driven by increased sales to the EU and reduced imports by Chinese firms.
The BriefWire