EU to China: Fix Trade Imbalance by October or Else

The European Union and China launched a new high-level talks platform on Monday to cool rising trade tensions. Brussels set a firm deadline of October for “tangible results” on key disputes, including trade imbalances, export controls, and intellectual property. In a rare joint statement issued during marathon negotiations in Brussels, the two sides announced four initial workstreams. These focus on balancing trade and investment, as well as resolving export-related grievances. The new ministerial-level mechanism aims to speed up solutions. EU officials stressed that progress must be measurable and concrete within months, signaling growing impatience with Beijing’s trade practices.