The second regular meeting of the China-EU Trade and Investment Consultation Mechanism reached consensus on a number of outcomes

China News Service, Beijing, October 9th (Reporter Yin Qianyun) The reporter learned from the Ministry of Commerce of China on the 9th that from October 8th to 9th, Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao and European Commission Trade and Economic Security Commissioner Maroš Šefčovic held the second regular meeting of the China-EU Trade and Investment Consultation Mechanism (hereinafter referred to as the Mechanism) in Beijing. The two sides had pragmatic and productive discussions and formed a consensus list of outcomes.

Based on this list, the two sides reached consensus on a number of outcomes in four aspects: trade and investment balance, export control, intellectual property rights, and WTO reform. Regarding trade and investment balance, the list mentioned that the two sides will continue to explore the possibility of reducing tariffs on some goods under the framework of WTO rules; after intensive consultations, the two sides reached an understanding on hybrid vehicle trade in a manner consistent with WTO rules; the two sides agreed to conduct technical dialogue on the EU Foreign Subsidy Regulation (FSR).

Regarding export control, the list mentioned that China is willing to continue to facilitate the approval of export licenses for rare earths and permanent magnets to Europe through the "green channel" mechanism. The EU will continue to work with member states to facilitate the resolution of key licensing cases with China in the dual-use field. The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to resolving concerns in the field of export control and discussed the possibility of studying and introducing structural facilitation measures around the compliance trade of dual-use items between China and the EU.

The list also mentioned that China and the EU have begun to resolve systemic intellectual property issues and made progress. Both sides committed to participate in WTO reform and agreed to discuss all relevant issues with a view to achieving substantial progress.

China and the EU reiterated that, as key trading partners, they will properly handle their differences within the framework of WTO rules and are committed to continuing to stabilize bilateral economic and trade relations and make them more balanced. The two sides agreed to hold the third regular meeting of the mechanism in March 2027. Prior to that, the two sides would maintain close communication, including holding a ministerial-level video conference in January.