EU-China Trade Tensions Highlighted at Forum and Xi’an Dialogue

At the Second EU‑China Relations Forum in Beijing on May 12, European and Chinese participants openly clashed over trade imbalances, market access and accusations of protectionism. Jens Eskelund, president of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, warned that China ships fully‑loaded containers to Europe that return “almost empty,” while Chinese officials criticized EU “decoupling” policies and accused EU envoy Jorge Toledo of bullying.

Separately, the Xi’an Dialogue brought together scholars, lawyers and former ambassadors from Europe and China to explore cooperation amid the same tensions. Participants discussed concerns about China’s export competitiveness in rare‑earths and electric cars, the EU’s proposed Industrial Accelerator Act, and the need to revive the WTO. The discussion emphasized both the strategic rivalry perception and the potential for civil‑society‑led bridges between the two sides.