EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic urges 'meaningful' talks with China amid overcapacity concerns
Maros Sefcovic, the EU trade chief, urged for practical solutions and 'meaningful discussions' to tackle escalating trade issues between Brussels and Beijing. This call came after his discussions with Li Chenggang, China's chief international trade negotiator, during an OECD ministerial meeting in Paris. He highlighted the pressing need for policy measures to combat non-market practices and overcapacity that disrupt global markets, indirectly criticizing China. Sefcovic aims for a 'practical, result-oriented approach to our concerns, rather than escalation,' insisting that any future efforts must be 'meaningful and sustainable.' Preparations for official discussions with 'concrete outcomes' will involve teams traveling between Europe and China. He also called for increased high-level dialogues between Brussels and Beijing, akin to the frequency of US-China trade talks.
Key facts
- Maros Sefcovic is the EU trade chief.
- He met with China's chief trade negotiator Li Chenggang.
- The meeting occurred on the sidelines of an OECD ministerial meeting in Paris.
- Sefcovic called for 'meaningful discussion' to address trade concerns.
- He criticized non-market practices and overcapacity without naming China.
- Sefcovic emphasized a 'practical, result-oriented approach' and 'not escalation'.
- Teams will travel between Europe and China for preparatory talks.
- Sefcovic called for more high-level dialogues comparable to US-China trade talks.
- US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng have held seven in-person talks since last year.
Entities
Institutions
- European Union
- Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development
- South China Morning Post
Locations
- Paris
- France
- Brussels
- Belgium
- Beijing
- China
- Washington
- United States