EU-China trade talks begin in Beijing amid escalating pressure

Talks will focus on the €1 billion daily deficit and rare earth export restrictions.Published On 7 Oct 20267 Oct 2026European Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic has arrived in Beijing for talks on the European Union’s (EU) growing trade deficit with China.Sefcovic will meet Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao on Thursday and Friday after months of discussions over the EU’s trade deficit of more than €1bn ($1.12bn) daily, as well as Chinese curbs on exports of rare earths and other critical minerals.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Has Russia’s fuel crisis given Iranian oil an opening in Central Asia?list 2 of 3Coco Gauff says online racist abuse was ‘draining’ after China Open exitlist 3 of 3FBI arrests ‘Chinese foreign agent’ for spying on Taiwan president’s sonend of listMeanwhile, Chinese companies are increasingly challenging Europe’s top car brands. China rejected the EU request for voluntary curbs on Chinese hybrid car exports as the two sides enter negotiations, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday. The European Commission now hopes to get Beijing to accept a unilateral EU measure to cap hybrid imports instead, the outlet said, citing two diplomats briefed...