EU, China trade chiefs to hold call as talks near crunch time

European Union and Chinese trade chiefs are set to hold a video conference on Thursday, September 17, 2026, as discussions intensify over the EU's significant trade deficit with China. The call between European Commissioner for Trade Maroš Šefčovič and his Chinese counterpart Wang Wentao comes amid a broader push by Brussels to rebalance trade relations and reduce reliance on Beijing for critical supply chains.

The EU executive is under pressure to show progress ahead of a mid-October summit of EU leaders, where the strategy towards China is expected to be a key topic. The intensified engagement follows concerns that China's industrial policies pose a threat to the EU's manufacturing base, a point likely to be addressed by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in her State of the European Union speech on Wednesday.

Ahead of Šefčovič's own visit to Beijing in early October, a delegation of senior Commission officials, led by Director-General for Trade Ditte Juul Jørgensen, will travel to China next week. Following his call with Wang Wentao, Šefčovič plans to consult with European CEOs on diversifying supply chains and exploring potential new "diversification tools."