China debate reaches fever pitch in Brussels as EU’s crunch fortnight kicks off

A critical two-week period for European Union policymaking on China has begun, with signs that major member states might adopt a more stringent approach to trade despite significant pressure from Beijing.

China's Vice Minister of Commerce, Ling Ji, was scheduled to meet with Ditte Juul Jorgensen, the new EU trade director, in Brussels. He was also set to engage with Chinese businesses in the Belgian capital before attending forums in Berlin and Dusseldorf.

Simultaneously, EU diplomats are preparing for a major summit next week. The 27 member states will convene to determine the future direction of the European Union's policy towards China. The debate surrounding this issue has intensified considerably.

Beijing has continued to issue threats, pledging to counter various EU initiatives aimed at reducing Chinese firms' market access. Sources in Brussels increasingly anticipate the possibility of a trade war between the EU and China.

While the European Commission aims to de-escalate tensions by increasing engagement with China, some participants hold low expectations that Beijing will concede on long-standing EU demands regarding its trade and industrial policies. Frustration is mounting in Brussels over what is perceived as Chinese officials ignoring explanations that EU policies are intended to bolster European manufacturing resilience, not to target China.