European Union leaders will travel to China on July 24 and 25 for a crucial summit marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the EU and China. The summit comes at a time of escalating global trade tensions and European discontent with Beijing’s alignment with Moscow amid the war in Ukraine.

Diplomats confirmed to POLITICO that the two-day summit will begin in Beijing and conclude in Anhui, an eastern province known for its industrial centers like Hefei and Wuhu. “The summit is set,” one EU official noted, while a Chinese industry source also confirmed the schedule, though all spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the planning.

Top EU Leadership to Attend

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa will represent the EU at the meeting. Although the EU hopes Chinese President Xi Jinping will participate, his attendance remains unconfirmed.

China Seeks Tariff Relief

Beijing reportedly aims to leverage the summit to persuade the EU to lift duties on Chinese electric vehicles. China's Ministry of Commerce recently indicated that negotiations with Brussels are in their final phase. However, the European side remains cautious, particularly amid the backdrop of new U.S. tariffs and the broader geopolitical rift stemming from China’s stance on the Russia-Ukraine war.

Neither the Chinese Mission to the EU nor the European Commission offered official comment, though a Council spokesperson acknowledged the summit will take place in the second half of July.

Strategic Stakes

The summit not only marks a symbolic diplomatic milestone but also serves as a potential turning point in EU-China relations strained by economic, political, and strategic disagreements. The outcome could influence broader transatlantic negotiations and the global trade order in a time of shifting alliances and emerging industrial policy rivalries.