China and the European Union have discussed enhancing economic and trade cooperation in response to U.S. tariffs, according to a statement from China’s Commerce Ministry on Thursday.
During a video call on Tuesday, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and European Trade and Economic Security Commissioner Maros Sefcovic addressed the resumption of trade relief discussions and the immediate launch of negotiations on electric vehicle price commitments, the ministry stated.
The talks took place just before additional U.S. tariffs on China, imposed by President Donald Trump, came into effect.
On Wednesday, Trump made a surprising policy shift by announcing a temporary reduction in the newly imposed high tariffs on multiple countries. However, he intensified pressure on China, warning that tariffs on the world’s second-largest economy could rise to 125%.
Wang conveyed China’s willingness to deepen trade, investment, and industrial cooperation with the EU.
He also urged both sides to uphold the rules-based multilateral trading system, support trade liberalization and facilitation, and contribute to global economic stability and certainty, the ministry noted.
Additionally, China and the EU discussed improving the business environment for enterprises and addressing trade transfer concerns.
The two sides will continue strengthening communication under the World Trade Organization framework and work together on WTO reforms, according to the statement.
At the end of October, the EU had imposed additional tariffs of up to 35.3% on Chinese-made electric vehicles following an anti-subsidy investigation, in addition to the bloc’s standard 10% import duty on cars.
Last week, China’s Commerce Ministry announced that both parties had agreed to restart negotiations on minimum price commitments for Chinese EVs, though no timeline was provided.
