The European Parliament overwhelmingly adopted a report on EU-China political relations on Oct. 7, calling for tougher measures against Beijing over unfair trade practices, espionage, support for Russia’s war in Ukraine and growing tensions in the Taiwan Strait.
Lawmakers approved the report by 454 votes to 86, with 110 abstentions. The resolution warns that relations between the European Union and China have reached a “critical point,” citing Beijing’s economic policies and geopolitical activities. Although the resolution does not directly change EU policy, it reflects mounting pressure within the bloc to confront the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), according to Euronews.
The resolution calls for stronger economic safeguards, reduced dependence on Chinese critical minerals and closer security cooperation with democratic partners in the Indo-Pacific.
Beijing’s lobbying fails to soften Parliament’s position
The South China Morning Post reported that Beijing had devoted considerable resources to lobbying European lawmakers in an effort to moderate the Parliament’s position on China.
Relations appeared to improve somewhat in 2025 as European and Chinese officials resumed exchanges and Beijing lifted sanctions against some European lawmakers. However, concerns over Chinese espionage, industrial overcapacity and Beijing’s relationship with Moscow continued to strain ties.
For the best of our weekly content！
You are now signed up for our newsletter
Check your email to complete sign up
Belgian lawmaker Hilde Vautmans, who drafted the report, argued during the parliamentary debate that China had repeatedly tested the boundaries of international law.
“This Parliament can send a clear message: no more dumping, no more espionage, and fair competition,” Vautmans said, according to the original account of the debate.
The European Parliament’s official transparency records show that Vautmans held multiple meetings with representatives of China, Taiwan and human rights organizations during the drafting process.
Despite diplomatic engagement, lawmakers retained the designation of China as a “systemic rival,” reinforcing an increasingly confrontational approach to Beijing.
EU considers countermeasures over rare earths and industrial overcapacity
A central concern in the resolution is China’s dominance of critical raw materials, particularly rare earth elements essential to Europe’s automotive, defense and clean-energy industries.
Lawmakers urged the European Commission and EU member states to consider activating the bloc’s Anti-Coercion Instrument if Beijing attempts to exploit Europe’s dependence on Chinese supplies for political or economic leverage.
China imposed export restrictions on several rare earth elements in April 2025, disrupting international supply chains. The European Parliament previously condemned those restrictions, warning that Beijing’s dominant position in rare earth processing gives it substantial economic leverage.
The latest report also warns that Chinese industrial overcapacity threatens European manufacturers, particularly in the electric vehicle sector.
The vote coincided with EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič’s visit to Beijing for negotiations aimed at reducing the bloc’s growing trade deficit with China. According to Reuters, the EU’s trade deficit with China now exceeds €1 billion per day, intensifying concerns about European jobs and industrial competitiveness.
Germany and France have also proposed stronger trade defenses. The Financial Times reported that the two countries are pushing for a mechanism that could rapidly restrict access to the EU market when foreign governments use critical supply chains as economic leverage.
Parliament accuses China of enabling Russia’s war
The resolution also sharply criticizes Beijing’s support for Moscow, describing China as a “decisive enabler” of Russia’s war against Ukraine.
According to Euronews, lawmakers cited China’s diplomatic backing and material assistance to Russia’s military-industrial complex as evidence of Beijing’s role in sustaining the conflict.
The European Parliament’s September policy briefing similarly identified China as a major supplier of dual-use goods, including components used in Russian weapons and drones.
Beijing has repeatedly rejected accusations that it supports Russia’s military campaign, maintaining that it is neutral in the conflict and that its commercial relations with Moscow constitute legitimate trade.
Lawmakers call for stronger naval presence near Taiwan
The adopted report also calls for closer security cooperation between the EU and democratic partners in the Indo-Pacific, including a sustained European naval presence and joint military exercises in and around the Taiwan Strait.
The South China Morning Post reported that the recommendation was among the resolution’s strongest security provisions, reflecting growing European concern over Beijing’s military pressure on Taiwan.
The CCP claims sovereignty over self-governing Taiwan and has never renounced the use of force to bring the island under its control.
The European Parliament has repeatedly emphasized the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, according to its official policy briefing.
Original article
Comments