European Union and Chinese leaders are meeting in Beijing for a high-stakes summit marking 50 years of diplomatic relations, but expectations are low as trade frictions and geopolitical divides dominate the agenda.
Both sides are grappling with escalating disputes over trade practices, critical minerals, and supply chain dependencies, while also facing pressure from the ongoing U.S.-China rivalry and the war in Ukraine. European businesses are caught in the crossfire, and hopes for a significant reset in relations have faded amid mutual mistrust and limited deliverables. The summit, originally planned as a celebration, now serves as a test of whether the EU and China can find common ground or if tensions will further escalate.
Despite calls for cooperation on climate and economic issues, the mood remains frosty, with both sides wary of making major concessions.
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