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2025-07-02 | All chapters
On 17th June, the interinstitutional negotiations on improving the EU’s framework for screening of foreign direct investment (FDI) began in Strasbourg. A revised FDI screening framework was commenced, with new rules focusing on ensuring a more harmonised screening mechanism, minimum sectoral scope and screening investments by EU investors controlled by individuals or entities from a non-EU country (Commission press release).
On 18th June, the Commission has taken two key actions in its investigation of AliExpress under the Digital Services Act (DSA). First, it accepted binding commitments from the platform to address concerns such as advertising and recommender system transparency. Second, the Commission found AliExpress in breach of DSA obligations for failing to properly assess and mitigate risks related to illegal product sales (Commission press release).
On 19th June, EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič and Chinese Commerce Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao held a video meeting with to discuss trade remedies including the EV anti-subsidy case, export controls, and market access. Both sides agreed to work together to prepare for key China-EU engagements this year and promote stable, sustainable trade relations (MOFCOM news).
On 20th June, the Commission decided to exclude Chinese companies from EU government procurement of medical devices exceeding EUR 5 million. This measure follows the conclusions of the first investigation under the International Procurement Instrument (IPI), and allows no more than 50% of inputs from China for successful bids (Commission press release). The Chinese side expressed opposition to the measures and urged EU to correct its actions (MOFCOM news).
On 25th June, EU Heads of Mission to China met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing. They discussed EU-China relations, international and regional hotspots, and global issues and multilateral governance in view of the upcoming EU-China Strategic Dialogue (EEAS news, MFA news).
On 26th June, speaker of the French National Assembly Yael Braun-Pivet, co-chaired a meeting with China's top legislator Zhao Leji in Beijing, pledging to strengthen ties (Xinhua news, AsieNews FR). On 27th June, she also met with China's top political advisor Wang Huning (MFA news).
On 26th June, a coordinated raid by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Athens, Madrid, Paris and Sofia stopped criminal networks flooding the EU market with goods fraudulently imported from China, while evading custom duties and VAT. The criminal scheme, which involved the massive importation of textile, shoes, e-scoters, e-bikes and other goods, is believed to have caused an estimated damage of approximately €700 million (EPPO news).
On 26th June, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce stated that China will expedite the review of rare earth-related export license applications to the EU (MOFCOM news). On the same day, China and the US signed a trade deal including a commitment by Beijing to deliver rare earth minerals to the US. (Bloomberg news item)
On 26th June, in the margins of the European Council meeting, EU leaders proposed to strengthen cooperation with the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) to create a trade model that can bring new impetuous to WTO reform. The proposal does not seek to replace the WTO (Reuters news). This follows a 19th June announcement by MOFCOM that China is preparing to fully join CPTPP (MOFCOM news).
On 26th June, in response to statements by NATO Secretary General Rutte on China providing military support to Russia amid the war in Ukraine, Chinese Defence Ministry spokesman Zhang Xiaogang criticised NATO for using Beijing as a pretext to expand its influence into the Asia-Pacific region, accusing the alliance of provoking conflict and acting like a "war machine" (State Council readout).
On 30th June, the EU released a statement on the fifth anniversary of the imposition of the Hong Kong National Security Law, urging the authorities to shift their emphasis towards reconciliation in HK society, and attaching great importance to the preservation of HK’s high degree of autonomy (EEAS news).
On 1st July, Denmark took over the Presidency Council of the EU from Poland, in which programme it has mentioned the strengthening of Euro-Atlantic security and defending its economic interests against unfair trade practices. (Programme of the Danish Presidency)
On 2nd July, the EU and China held their 13th Strategic Dialogue. EU High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas and Minister of Foreign Affairs of China Wang Yi co-chaired the meeting (EEAS news).
WATCH OUT FOR:
On 30th June to 6th July, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to visit Brussels, Berlin and Paris. He will participate in:
- 13th round of China-EU High-level Strategic Dialogue, in Brussels.
- 8th Germany-China Strategic Dialogue on Diplomacy and Security, in Berlin.
- France-China high-level dialogue mechanism on people-to-people exchanges, in Paris.
- Bilateral Meeting between Belgium’s Prime Minister Bart De Wever and Wang Yi
On 24-25th July, EU-China Summit, in China.