EU and China agree to take action on climate change

A joint EU-China summit in Beijing yielded a surprising agreement on climate change, despite significant disagreements on other issues. The statement urged increased emission cuts and green technology adoption, reaffirming support for the Paris Agreement and COP30. However, the summit highlighted substantial trade imbalances favoring China, prompting the EU to demand a more balanced relationship. The EU pressed China to influence Russia regarding the war in Ukraine, a request that was largely unsuccessful. China countered by advocating for open markets and resisting EU trade restrictions on Chinese exports. The EU raised concerns about Chinese cyberattacks, espionage, and human rights, while China expressed apprehension about potential US tariffs impacting EU-China cooperation. Trade disputes involving electric vehicles, rare earth minerals, and agricultural products further strained the relationship. Despite some minor concessions from China, the summit ultimately produced minimal progress on major issues. The EU expressed frustration over Beijing's disregard for its concerns, indicating a potential increase in trade defense measures. The EU's pursuit of alliances with other nations like Japan reflects its efforts to diversify partnerships beyond its complex relations with the US and China.