China and EU must reject protectionism and choose economic cooperation

From the report

A 16-point trade consensus offers Beijing and Brussels an opportunity to ease tensions, protect global supply chains and demonstrate why dialogue remains more effective than economic confrontation.

At a time when geopolitical rivalry and protectionism are threatening the global economy, China and the European Union face a defining choice: strengthen their economic partnership or allow political mistrust to undermine one of the world’s most important trading relationships.

The second meeting of the China-EU bilateral trade and investment consultation mechanism, held in Beijing, produced a 16-point consensus covering trade imbalances, export controls, intellectual property rights and reform of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Although the agreement does not resolve every dispute, it demonstrates that dialogue remains possible despite mounting tensions.