The EU-China trade relationship faces new challenges as five-years of back-and-forth talks show no real improvement. Jorge Toledo‚ the EUʼs ambassador to China points out growing issues with market-access rules
Last week‚ the EU put new tariffs (up to 45.3%) on Chinese electric cars; this led to China starting its own checks of European food products and limiting brandy imports. The situation shows how both sides react to each-others trade decisions
The medical-devices sector became a hot-point after the EU started looking into Chinas public buying rules this spring. Toledo spoke at a Shanghai business-school event saying European companies that make medical stuff in China for about 20 years dont get fair treatment compared to local firms: their access to public contracts is limited
We dont want a trade war; we just want transparency and a level playing-field
The EU warns that if unfair treatment continues‚ they might use same rules for Chinese firms in Europe. This shows how both sides are trying to balance trade relations - while avoiding full-scale trade conflicts