Joint Statement of the China EU Trade and Investment Consultation Mechanism

On June 29, 2026, the Minister of Commerce of the People's Republic of China, Wang Wentao, and the European Commission's Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security and Inter Agency Relations and Transparency, Malos Shevchovic, held the first meeting of the China EU Trade and Investment Consultation Mechanism in Brussels.

As key trading partners, China and Europe agree that the main purpose of the China Europe Trade and Investment Consultation Mechanism is to strengthen ministerial level trade and investment policy dialogue, stabilize bilateral relations, and make them more balanced.

At the first meeting of the China EU Trade and Investment Consultation Mechanism, both sides pointed out the importance of properly handling challenges that affect bilateral economic and trade relations, and agreed to seek practical and feasible solutions. The China Europe Trade and Investment Consultation Mechanism has initially set up four working sections:

-Trade and investment balance

-Export control

intellectual property right

-WTO reform

Minister Wang Wentao and Member Xie Fuqiovic authorized officials to maintain communication on the four work areas and agreed to hold another ministerial level meeting in the autumn of 2026.

During the meeting, both sides agreed to establish a joint monitoring mechanism, exchange trade data, monitor trade flows, and carry out relevant technical work to improve transparency, enhance mutual trust, and control trade frictions.

Both sides also agreed that expanding market access would help balance trade relations. Both sides discussed possible tariff or non-tariff measures for this, exchanged a list of market access issues, and agreed to continue negotiations under the trade and investment balance working section in order to make progress on specific issues.

Both sides have noted that the China EU export control dialogue has achieved positive results in the areas of rare earths, other key raw materials, and minerals, and are willing to strengthen dialogue in this field. Both parties discussed the value of continuing to exchange information on their respective regulatory frameworks and licensing policies. Both sides recognize the need to strengthen dialogue on export controls and agree to take further facilitation measures to maintain stability in the global supply chain.

Both China and Europe emphasize the need to strengthen cooperation in the World Trade Organization, promote substantial progress in WTO reform, and enhance the authority and effectiveness of the WTO. Both parties agree to further strengthen communication and cooperation within the World Trade Organization.

Both sides acknowledge that constructive exchanges between the China EU Intellectual Property Working Group are the main channel for technical discussions on intellectual property between China and Europe. They discuss and agree to address a series of systemic intellectual property issues, improve the efficiency, fairness, and transparency of intellectual property protection and enforcement.