Joint statement of the second regular meeting of the EU-China Trade and Investment Consultative Mechanism

The Zhitong Finance App learned that the Ministry of Commerce announced that on October 8-9, 2026, China's Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao and European Commission Trade and Economic Security Commissioner Maros Shevcovic held the second regular meeting of the Sino-European Trade and Investment Consultation Mechanism (hereinafter referred to as the mechanism) in Beijing. The two sides had practical and productive discussions and formed a consensus list of results. The two sides reiterated that as key trading partners, they are committed to properly handling differences between the two sides and continue to stabilize bilateral economic and trade relations and make them more balanced under the framework of WTO rules. The two sides agreed that the third regular meeting of the mechanism will be held in March 2027. Until then, the two sides will maintain close communication, including a ministerial video conference in January.

Outcome consensus list

Trade and investment balance

1. The two sides will continue to explore the possibility of reducing tariffs on some commodities within the framework of WTO rules.

2. The two sides will continue to strengthen communication and cooperation under the trade monitoring mechanism, and further actively play the role of the dialogue mechanism to enhance mutual understanding.

3. After intensive negotiations, the two sides reached an understanding on the hybrid vehicle trade in a way that complies with WTO rules.

4. The two sides recalled the price commitment guidance document for electric vehicle countervailing cases, and will continue the relevant procedures for enterprise price commitments and review in electric vehicle countervailing cases.

5. The two sides will continue to maintain dialogue on medical device market access issues. The European side welcomed the measures taken by China to expand imports of EU medical devices, including holding procurement matchmaking meetings during the 9th CIIE.

6. On the basis of risk assessments, China will speed up the process of approving the regionalization principles of eligible EU member states. The two sides agreed to exchange methods and techniques for epidemic control and to jointly explore ways to lift restrictions on the export of blue tongue disease from relevant member countries to China.

7. The two sides agreed to continue technical exchanges on the computer reservation system. The two sides agreed to continue follow-up discussions on their respective cosmetic and pharmaceutical-related regulatory frameworks to further resolve existing and emerging market access issues.

8. The two sides agreed to engage in technical dialogue on the EU Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR).

9. The European side clarified that the EU's guidance document on the financing of inverter projects does not target specific countries, and the two sides will conduct further discussions on this issue.

10. The two sides agreed to explore investment cooperation, promote mutual economic development, and discuss future-oriented cooperation.

export control

11. The two sides reiterated the need to further strengthen the export control dialogue between China and Europe, and welcomed strengthened communication on their respective export control policies, including through issuing policy guidelines, organizing government-enterprise exchange activities, and holding training.

12. Both sides agree on the importance of improving the predictability and stability of the global industrial chain supply chain. China is ready to continue to facilitate the approval of export licenses for rare earths and permanent magnets to Europe through the “green channel” mechanism. The European side will continue to work with member states to facilitate the resolution of key licensing cases against China in the dual-use sector.

13. The two sides reiterated their commitment to address concerns in the field of export control, and discussed the possibility of studying and introducing structural facilitation measures regarding the compliant trade of dual-use items between China and Europe.

14. The two sides reached an understanding within the framework of the export control dialogue mechanism. They will notify in advance before placing an order, improve the transparency of the transfer order process, and support the initiation of the transfer procedure under their respective legal frameworks.

intellectual property

15. China and Europe have begun to resolve systemic intellectual property issues and have made progress. The two sides agreed to continue to cooperate to resolve related issues and set phased goals, focusing on effective and fair intellectual property protection and enforcement, and greater transparency and predictability. The two sides agreed to monitor progress through the EU-China Intellectual Property Working Group.

WTO reform

16. The two sides agreed to further strengthen bilateral communication and cooperation on WTO reform in an open and constructive manner. The two sides promised to participate in WTO reform and agreed to discuss all relevant issues with a view to achieving substantial progress.

This article was selected from the “Ministry of Commerce” official website, Zhitong Finance Editor: Liu Jiayin.