Robert Fico urges EU to pursue friendly competition with China

Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico has called on the European Union to pursue “friendly competition” with China rather than treating the nation as an enemy or erecting trade barriers. Speaking in Bratislava following discussions with European Council President Antonio Costa, Fico argued that global competitiveness should be achieved by improving performance rather than through new tariffs.

The discussions between Fico and Costa also covered the EU’s long-term budget, energy prices, and bloc enlargement. Fico expressed support for maintaining a strong cohesion policy to reduce regional disparities, suggesting additional funding for eastern EU member states bordering Ukraine. He also emphasized a strong agricultural policy as a key priority for Slovakia.