The European Union is continuing its trade negotiations with China on investment and geographical indications with the intention of rebalancing the trade relationship to its advantage by obtaining more reciprocity from its Chinese partner, in particular through fair and non-discriminatory treatment of European economic operators (see EUROPE 12230/13).
Investments
Another round of bilateral negotiations - the 22nd - on investment between the EU and Beijing took place in Brussels the week of 15 July 2019.
According to the Commission, “it was a week of intensive and constructive negotiations”.
The teams continued discussions on market access, with sessions devoted to health and transport, the Commission highlighted in a brief report released on 26 July.
The EU also says it is seeing progress in discussions on specific subjects related to financial services and national treatment commitments.
With regard to sustainable development, negotiators “discussed” environmental and labour policy issues related to investments.
Finally, on the issue of the settlement of disputes between States, “constructive” dialogue has taken place, but efforts will have to be intensified in September to achieve more concrete progress, the report states.
The 23rd round of negotiations is scheduled to take place in Beijing the week of 23 September.
Geographical indications
During the week of 22 July, a new round of EU-China talks was held to seal a bilateral agreement on geographical indications.
In April 2019, in the joint declaration from the last EU/China summit, a consensus was found for sealing an agreement on GIs before the end of the year (see EUROPE 12232/7).
The agreement would already have been in place since 2018, but China backed away (see EUROPE 12300/21).
At the end of these talks, a Commission source told EUROPE that the parties “continue to work hard to reach a conclusion before the end of the year”. (Original version in French by Hermine Donceel)