EU, China Stumble Over Trade, Human Rights Ahead of Summit

EU, China Stumble Over Trade, Human Rights Ahead of Summit
China's Premier Li Keqiang (2nd R) looks over to European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker (C) as they attend the China-EU Business Roundtable at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on July 16, 2018. Ng Han Guan /AFP/Getty Images
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BRUSSELS— Tensions over trade, investments and minority rights are preventing China and the EU from agreeing a joint declaration at a summit next week, multiple sources in Brussels said on April 5, sapping a European push for greater access to Chinese markets.

Alarmed by potential Chinese dominance of strategic European industries, EU leaders last month sought to prepare for the April 9 summit by agreeing what they said was a more assertive stance toward Beijing.