No easy path ahead for China and Europe, even as Western leaders flock to Beijing

China's President Xi Jinping and Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz shake hands at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, China February 25, 2026. China Daily via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. CHINA OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN CHINA.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Chinese President Xi Jinping meeting in Beijing on Feb 25.

PHOTO: REUTERS

Lim Min Zhang

and

Jonathan Eyal

Recent visits by European leaders aimed to recalibrate relations, but Beijing's hope for "pragmatic" cooperation faces Europe's accelerating "de-risking" agenda.
Europe's trade deficit with China reached €359 billion in 2025, alongside growing suspicion and concerns about China's alleged support for Russia.
Beijing resists adjusting its trade policies and dismisses complaints; Europe continues with measures to protect its industries against China's distortive economic practices.

AI generated

BEIJING/LONDON - When German Chancellor Friedrich Merz

went to China on Feb 25

, Beijing was keen to tout the latest in a succession of visits by European leaders as an overdue recalibration of the continent’s policy towards China.

Beijing has long chafed at the European framing of China as simultaneously a cooperation partner, economic competitor and systemic rival, preferring that they take a more “pragmatic” and business-oriented approach towards working with China.

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