“As our cooperation has deepened, so have imbalances. We have reached an inflection point,” von der Leyen told Chinese President Xi Jinping, referencing the EU’s trade deficit with China, which hit a historic €305.8 billion ($360 billion) last year.
She emphasized that rebalancing bilateral EU-China relations is critical.
“It is vital for China and Europe to acknowledge our concerns and come forward with real solutions,” von der Leyen added.
During the meeting, Xi Jinping urged the EU to “make correct strategic choices,” subtly criticizing Brussels’ aggressive stance toward China, saying it aligns with “the expectations of the people.”
The EU recently imposed sanctions on several Chinese banks as part of its 18th sanctions package targeting Russia. China’s Foreign Ministry protested, stating its opposition to unilateral sanctions against Chinese citizens and companies.