EU, China set March talks after trade consultations in Beijing

• The two sides said they reached a list of deliverables and understandings.
• They agreed to hold a ministerial video-conference in January before March talks.
• The EU and China said they would keep working on export controls, IPR and WTO reform.

Beijing talks

EU trade chief Maroš Šefčovič and Chinese commerce minister Wang Wentao held the second EU-China Trade and Investment Consultations in Beijing on 8-9 October. The two sides said the discussions were pragmatic and productive.

EU, China set March talks after trade consultations in Beijing

They agreed to hold the third ministerial meeting in March 2027. Before that, they will keep close communication and hold a ministerial video-conference in January.

Trade and investment

The sides said they will continue to explore tariff reductions or elimination for certain goods within WTO rules. They will also continue work under the trade monitoring mechanism and use the dialogue mechanism to improve mutual understanding.

Following intensive consultations, they said they reached an understanding on trade in hybrid vehicles in a WTO-compliant manner. They also said they had recalled the guidance document on price undertakings in the BEVs anti-subsidy case, and would continue procedures on corporate price undertakings and reviews.

The EU said it welcomes China's effort to increase imports of medical devices from the bloc, including through a match-making event during the 9th China International Import Expo. The two sides will continue dialogue on market access for medical devices.

China said it will accelerate recognition of the regionalisation principle for eligible EU member states on the basis of risk assessment. The sides also agreed to exchanges on disease-control methodologies and technologies, with a view to lifting restrictions on relevant animal products affected by bluetongue disease from relevant member states.

They also agreed to continue technical-level exchanges on computer reservation systems and to follow up on consultations on cosmetics and pharmaceutical regulatory frameworks, with the aim of addressing existing and emerging market access barriers.

The sides agreed to engage in a technical dialogue on FSR. On EU guidance on the use of EU funds for clean energy projects involving certain inverters, the EU said its official guidance is country neutral and the two sides will hold further discussions.

They also agreed to explore how investment can bring more benefits to their economies and to discuss future-oriented cooperation.

Export controls and IPR

The two sides said they want to strengthen the EU-China Export Control Dialogue and welcomed more exchanges on export control policies, including guidance, outreach and trainings.

China said it is willing to continue facilitating export licences for rare earths and permanent magnets to the EU through the fast-track mechanism. The EU said it will work with member-state authorities to facilitate specific priority licences to China among dual-use sectors.

They also said they would work on issues of concern in export controls, including possible structural facilitation measures for compliant dual-use exports. The sides reached an understanding to provide advance warning and improve transparency of listing and delisting procedures, and supported steps to delist entities in line with applicable legislation.

On intellectual property, the EU and China said they have made some progress on systemic concerns. They agreed to continue collaboration, with the EU-China Intellectual Property Working Group monitoring progress.

WTO reform

The two sides said they will strengthen bilateral communication and cooperation on WTO reform in an open and constructive manner. They also agreed to discuss all related issues with a view to advancing substantive progress.