Brussels, April 8, 2025 — European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen held a productive phone call today with Chinese Premier Li Qiang to discuss the current state of EU-China relations as 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two powers. The leaders held a constructive conversation on a range of bilateral and global issues, underscoring the importance of collaboration between Europe and China, particularly in the face of global economic challenges.
During the discussion, President von der Leyen emphasized the crucial need for stability and predictability in the global economy, particularly in light of disruptions caused by US tariffs. She stressed that as two of the world’s largest markets, both Europe and China share the responsibility to support a strong and reformed trading system that is free, fair, and based on a level playing field. She called for a negotiated resolution to the current trade tensions and urged both sides to avoid further escalation.
The President also highlighted China’s pivotal role in addressing the trade diversion caused by tariffs, especially in industries affected by global overcapacity. She proposed setting up a mechanism to track potential trade diversions and ensure any issues are addressed promptly.
In addition, President von der Leyen reiterated the need for structural solutions to rebalance the bilateral trade relationship and improve access for European businesses, products, and services to the Chinese market. This would help ensure a more equitable trading environment moving forward.
The conversation also touched on the EU-China cooperation on climate change and the transition to clean industry, with both leaders recognizing the importance of working together on the global climate agenda.
On the issue of Ukraine, President von der Leyen reaffirmed the EU’s firm support for a just and lasting peace, stressing that the terms for peace must be determined by Ukraine. She urged China to intensify its efforts to contribute constructively to the peace process.
Looking ahead, both leaders acknowledged that the upcoming EU-China Summit in July would provide a significant opportunity to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations and further strengthen ties between the two regions.
