China has taken a tough stance against the European Union, retaliating against trade curbs and accusing Europe of protectionism amid ongoing trade tensions. Beijing’s moves follow its successful pressure on the Trump administration into a trade truce through economic leverage. China is seeking to lift tariffs imposed on Chinese electric vehicles and refrain from further restrictions on trade.
The US-China trade war has shown China’s strength, with analysts saying Beijing perceives the global order as in flux due to the US being overstretched and domestic polarization increasing. With the trans-Atlantic alliance showing signs of division, China is more likely to assert its interests, including in trade, tech, and security.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/21/world/asia/china-europe-trade-war.html