China-EU trade talks begin in Beijing amid low hopes for breakthrough

A fresh round of trade talks between China and the European Union began in Beijing on Thursday, with observers on both sides appearing to agree that a big breakthrough was unlikely.

Limited expectations from the talks

The discussions began amid expectations of further trade turbulence between China and the EU. Observers were mainly hoping that Beijing and Brussels could avoid a full-blown trade conflict.

Chinese firms based in Europe said they hoped the talks could achieve “some “limited progress” to help stabilise the trade relationship. Their expectation placed emphasis on keeping the relationship stable rather than securing a sweeping agreement.

European analysts remained cautious about the potential outcome of the discussions. That caution reflected the broader view that the talks were unlikely to produce a major breakthrough.

Chinese source expects some results

A Chinese source with knowledge of the talks said, “They’re bound to get some results.” The source added that EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic “will not go home empty-handed”.

The comments offered a more positive assessment than the broader expectations surrounding the meeting, although they did not point to a full resolution of the trade relationship. For observers, avoiding a wider conflict remained the central hope as the talks got under way.

Source: South China Morning Post