China-Europe cooperation amid the US tariff storm has more weight

As European states sail for the current chaotic period, based on the Global Trade War started by the US, it is worth observing the trajectory of the EU relationship with China.

Recently, there were intense interactions between China and EU, as well as their Member States. Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang talked by telephone with the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez will visit China from Thursday to Friday. Earlier this week, Finnish Parliament President Jussi Halla-Aho also visited China and, at the end of March, the Vice-President of the European Commission and Commissioner of Economic Trade and Security, Marošefčovič, visited China. During Sánchez’s visit to Vietnam on Wednesday, before his trip to China, he asked the EU to revise his relationship with China.

These EU and its Member States efforts to strengthen engagement with China amid the global tariff storm have sent a positive signal. During the call between Li and von der Leyen, the latter stated that it is crucial that UE-china relations maintain continuity and stability in current circumstances. European media noted that even before the conversation, von der Leyen had signaled a more balanced approach to China, suggesting space for constructive engagement and potential commercial expansion.

He Zhiga, a researcher at the Chinese Academy Institute of Social Sciences, told Global Times on Wednesday that Von Der Leyen’s attitude towards China is partly the result of the EU reevaluation in relation to its relations with China after the weakening of safety bonds between Europe and the US and the alliance based on the policies adopted by the current US government. He also noted that the EU still demonstrates a somewhat hesitant mindset to deal with China.

This can be observed in a recent debate between the EU Member States-while some advocate a facilitation of trade with China, others express concerns about the perspective of Chinese imports as an indirect consequence of American tariffs.

Amid this rapidly changing situation, Europe needs to be calm and adopt a constructive approach to China. The typical US rhetoric portrays China as a common rival for both the US and Europe, ultimately serving US interests, while positioning Europe as a mere trampoline in China’s Washington’s containment strategy. Unjustified fears in relation to China will not help Europe deal with the dilemmas it faces, especially when the US is pressing the whole world.

The joint support of China and Europe to open trade and globalization is particularly vital, as US tariff abuse is causing serious disturbances in the global commercial order. “There is no direct conflict of interests between China and Europe at strategic and safety levels. Both are advocates of multilateralism and global governance. Cooperation between China and Europe now has more weight and will be of higher value,” Xin Hua, director of the European Union Studies Center at the University of International Studies of Shanghai, told Global Times on Wednesday.

Since the Premier LI observed during his call with the president of the European Commission, this year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and EU, and the development of bilateral relations faces important opportunities.

China and EU have faced challenges, while ordinary interests boost their relationship and make it more resilient. Cooperation between the two countries will contribute to a fairer and more equitable world order.

Originally published by Global Times on 09/04/2025