China and EU Open Trade Talks in Beijing as Observers Expect Limited Progress

Trade negotiations between China and the European Union resumed in Beijing on Thursday, with analysts on both sides anticipating turbulence rather than a breakthrough. Chinese companies operating in Europe expressed hope that the discussions would yield "limited progress" capable of stabilizing commercial ties, while European analysts stayed cautious about what the talks could deliver. A Chinese source familiar with the negotiations said results were inevitable and predicted that EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic "will not go home empty-handed." The China Chamber of Commerce to the EU urged both sides to fully employ the Trade and Investment Consultations (TIC) mechanism to manage disagreements, pursue solutions and give businesses clearer signals. Observers in Beijing and Brussels mainly hope the two sides can avert a full-blown trade conflict.