EU Chief Says Relations With China Reach ‘Inflection Point’

Trade imbalance, the CCP’s ties with Russia, and Beijing’s export controls on rare earths were among the concerns raised during the EU leaders’ China visit.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks during a joint press conference with President of European Council Antonio Costa after the 25th EU-China summit in Beijing on July 24, 2025. Adek Berry/AFP via Getty Images

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called on her Chinese counterpart to ensure more balanced trade with Europe as current relations between Brussels and Beijing have reached “an inflection point.”

Von der Leyen, along with European Council President António Costa, was in Beijing on July 24 for the EU–China summit.