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China, EU agree to explore tariff cuts, ease trade barriers

China and the European Union have agreed to explore reducing tariffs on certain goods, strengthen cooperation on export controls, and address outstanding market access issues as the two sides seek to stabilise bilateral economic and trade relations. The agreements were reached during the second meeting of the China-EU Trade and Investment Consultation Mechanism, held in Beijing on October 8-9, according to a joint statement released on Friday. Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and European Commission Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šefčovič led the discussions, which both sides described as pragmatic and productive. The two sides reiterated their commitment to managing trade differences within the framework of World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules and making bilateral economic and trade relations more balanced. Read: China’s EV lead built on scale, policy and innovation They agreed to hold the mechanism’s third meeting in March 2...
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China, EU agree to explore tariff cuts, ease trade barriers

China and the European Union have agreed to explore reducing tariffs on certain goods, strengthen cooperation on export controls, and address outstanding market access issues as the two sides seek to stabilise bilateral economic and trade relations. The agreements were reached during the second meeting of the China-EU Trade and Investment Consultation Mechanism, held in Beijing on October 8-9, according to a joint statement released on Friday. Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and European Commission Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šefčovič led the discussions, which both sides described as pragmatic and productive. The two sides reiterated their commitment to managing trade differences within the framework of World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules and making bilateral economic and trade relations more balanced. Read: China’s EV lead built on scale, policy and innovation They agreed to hold the mechanism’s third meeting in March 2027, while maintaining close communication in the interim, including through a ministerial-level video conference in January. On trade and investment, both sides agreed to continue exploring the possibility of reducing tariffs on certain goods in accordance with WTO rules and strengthen cooperation under the existing trade monitoring mechanism. EU-CN trade needs real rebalancing. With Minister Wang Wentao we've reached a shared understanding to:⁰🔹halve HEV, PHEV exports⁰🔹improve access to China's market⁰🔹further ease rare earths export licensing. A first step. I welcome the genuine engagement. We reconvene by Jan. pic.twitter.com/SiKiZYLC8N — Maroš Šefčovič🇪🇺 (@MarosSefcovic) October 9, 2026 They also reached an understanding on trade in hybrid vehicles following intensive consultations, while agreeing to continue procedures relating to price commitments and reviews in the EU’s anti-subsidy cases involving Chinese electric vehicles. Market access for medical devices remained another area of discussion. The EU welcomed measures taken by China to expand imports of European medical devices, including a procurement-matching meeting planned during the ninth China International Import Expo. China also agreed to accelerate recognition of regionalisation principles for eligible EU member states on the basis of risk assessments. The two sides will exchange disease-control methods and technologies and explore ways to lift restrictions on imports from relevant member states affected by bluetongue disease. Also Read: European lawmakers criticise von der Leyen remarks linking Türkiye, Russia and China Further technical discussions will cover computer reservation systems, regulatory frameworks for cosmetics and medicines, and the EU’s Foreign Subsidies Regulation. Both sides will also continue addressing existing and emerging market access concerns. The European side clarified that the EU’s financing guidance for inverter projects was not directed at any particular country. The issue will be discussed further, according to the statement. On investment, the two sides agreed to explore opportunities for cooperation aimed at promoting economic development and pursuing future-oriented initiatives. Export controls Export controls featured prominently in the discussions, with both sides stressing the need for stronger dialogue and greater transparency in their respective policies. China and the EU underscored the importance of improving the predictability and stability of global industrial and supply chains. China expressed its willingness to continue facilitating approvals for exports of rare earths and permanent magnets to Europe through its “Green Channel” mechanism. The EU, meanwhile, said it would continue working with member states to resolve key licensing cases involving dual-use goods destined for China. Read more: Rare earths force Trump to be less hostile before Xi summit Both sides also discussed possible structural measures to facilitate compliant trade in dual-use items, which can have both civilian and military applications. Under the export control dialogue mechanism, they reached an understanding on providing advance notification before listings, improving transparency in listing and transfer procedures, and supporting the initiation of transfer procedures within their respective legal frameworks. Intellectual property and WTO reform The two sides also reported progress in addressing systemic intellectual property issues and agreed to continue efforts to improve protection and enforcement, transparency and predictability. Progress will be monitored through the China-EU Intellectual Property Working Group, with both sides committing to setting phased objectives for resolving outstanding concerns. On WTO reform, China and the EU agreed to strengthen bilateral communication and cooperation in an open and constructive manner. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to participating in the reform process and discussing relevant issues with a view to achieving substantive progress.

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