The EU27 trade ministers are due to meet in Budapest on Friday 18 October for an informal meeting. They will be focussing on trade relations with ASEAN and China, against a backdrop of tensions with Beijing.
Several Member States are concerned about the escalating trade disputes between the EU and China, especially after the latter imposed anti-dumping tariffs on European spirits on 8 October (see EUROPE 13499/27). The ministers will therefore be discussing trade relations with Beijing in Budapest.
On both sides of the table, some participants are expected to stress the importance of re-establishing a level playing field between European and Chinese companies. Others, such as Germany, Spain and the northern European countries, are expected to urge the European Commission to remain in close contact with Beijing to find an alternative solution to the tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.
“Customs disputes lead nowhere”, insisted German Chancellor Olaf Scholz upon his arrival at the European Council meeting in Brussels on 17 October, where the issue of Chinese electric vehicles was to be briefly discussed.
The discussion on EU-China relations will be preceded by another on trade with ASEAN. The EU is making a point of strengthening its ties with this region, as part of its objective to diversify its partners and reduce dependencies on China.
There is significant potential for trade and investment between the EU and ASEAN, particularly in clean technologies. As a result, the two blocs hope one day to conclude a region-to-region free trade agreement.
The meeting of trade ministers on 18 October will conclude with a working lunch on protecting European investments abroad. The EU has been working for several years to reform the system for settling investment disputes with its partners and to establish a Multilateral Investment Court. (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)