Chinese commerce minister navigating US-China trade frictions
At the APEC ministerial meetings in Suzhou, Japan’s senior officials have engaged with Chinese counterparts amid a broader diplomatic rift. Tokyo is pressing Beijing on export controls while reaffirming its alliance with Washington. New comments from both sides underscore continuing strain in regional security and trade ties.
EU leaders are pressing the European Commission to strengthen the trade defense toolbox and pursue dialogue with Beijing, as they confront a deepening trade imbalance and fears of supply shocks from China. Talks in Brussels have highlighted diverging views on how hard to push Beijing while avoiding a full-blown trade war.
China has placed 10 US companies, including rare‑earth producers MP Materials and USA Rare Earth, on its export control list and has barred Chinese government procurement from 46 US firms. Beijing has said the moves respond to a recent Pentagon blacklist of Chinese companies and has ordered immediate suspension of Chinese-origin dual‑use exports to the named firms.
APEC discussions have highlighted a widening gap between the US and China on trade, even as Beijing’s commitments to Boeing orders and US agricultural purchases signal ongoing economic ties. APEC ministers are urging faster implementation of agreed outcomes, with potential shifts as Xi and Trump are expected to meet later this year.
The EU has introduced a 3-euro duty on small packages and tightened steel import rules to curb a flood of low-value online orders and protect European producers. The move follows years of rising Chinese exports and a broader push to safeguard EU industry and consumers. The changes include tariff-free quotas, out-of-quota duties, and transparency requirements for origin tracing.
The EU has widened its trade deficit with China to about €360 billion last year, while discussions on balancing trade and investment continue. Brussels seeks a level playing field and timely results by October, with a bilateral working group monitoring flows amid concerns over exports of Chinese cars, batteries and high-tech goods.