As expected, the 50th EU–China summit unfolded in an atmosphere of political chill. Brussels and Beijing exchanged polite statements, but behind closed doors it became clear: common ground is rapidly disappearing. Trade disputes, mutual accusations of unfair competition, and geopolitical tensions have left little room for meaningful progress.
The only exception was climate policy. Despite rising confrontation, the two sides managed to agree on a joint statement to combat global warming. Yet even this diplomatic success proved fragile—given how divergent the interests behind talk of "green" cooperation truly are.
EU leaders returned from Beijing with a rare diplomatic win—a joint statement with China on climate change. It was the only positive outcome of a summit overshadowed by serious disagreements over trade and economic issues.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the climate declaration "a big step forward," adding: "Our joint efforts can serve as a global benchmark." But her remarks also highlighted how deep the disagreements ran across the rest of the talks—undermining the broader climate agenda.
At the heart of the tension is China’s dominance in green technologies—from solar panels and batteries to electric vehicles and control over supply chains for critical materials like magnets used in wind turbines. Last year, Chinese exports of green tech reduced global emissions by about 1%. Yet the EU sees China’s state-subsidized, expansion-driven model as a threat to its own key industries—especially automaking.
Chinese President Xi Jinping urged the EU not to treat shared interests as a threat, stressing that "enhancing competitiveness should not be based on building walls and barriers." Yet the climate agenda, once a neutral space for EU–China dialogue, is becoming a source of instability in its own right. "It is increasingly turning into a zone of competition and rivalry," noted Byford Tsang of the European Council on Foreign Relations.
Much of the tension stems from China’s dominance in clean technologies, especially in solar panel, battery, and electric vehicle production.
The Climate Statement Was the Only Outcome of the EU–China Summit
In Brussels, the joint statement was met with champagne. European Commission Vice President Teresa Ribera called it "a meaningful step in a world of rising geopolitical tensions and climate risks." Since the U.S. withdrew from the Paris Agreement, EU–China climate cooperation has taken on added importance. "The EU and China must stand together in defending the Paris Agreement—now more than ever," emphasized Ursula von der Leyen.
Belinda Schäpe of CREA called the continuation of dialogue between Beijing and Brussels "a significant political signal." François Chimits of the Institut Montaigne argued that even minimal agreement strengthens the positions of both China and the EU in talks with the United States. Still, the content of the document remains modest: "The mere fact that the statement was published—that’s the news, not what’s in it," said Li Shuo of the Asia Society Policy Institute.
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Despite repeated references to "cooperation," the tension between the EU and China at the summit remained barely concealed. The clause on access to green technologies is open to dual interpretation: it can mean support for energy transitions in the poorest countries—or a Chinese demand for broader access to EU markets. "You can see Beijing’s fingerprints on the text," said Tsang, pointing to some telling stylistic cues.
China’s global expansion in electric vehicles is forcing European automakers to fight for their place in nearly every market—including their own.
François Chimits adds that such wording means "little to Europe," since European firms are focused primarily on the premium segment, while China is aggressively supplying low-cost goods to developing countries. European EV makers are now fighting for market share even at home—especially after China pivoted to hybrids that fall outside the scope of EU tariffs.
Despite the criticism, China has no plans to scale back production in overcapacity sectors, says Minda Que of the Eurasia Group. For the EU, the idea of the global market being flooded with cheap Chinese goods—along with export restrictions on critical minerals—is unacceptable. Von der Leyen said "practical solutions" had been reached to manage potential supply disruptions.
But the broader geopolitical context—including China’s tacit support for Russia’s war against Ukraine—raises doubts about the prospect of real compromise. "We are dealing with a country that is fueling a war in Europe," said former Lithuanian foreign minister Gabrielius Landsbergis. In his view, EU efforts to hold climate talks under such conditions "look unserious."