Joint Statement of the Second Meeting of the China-EU Trade and Investment Consultation Mechanism

The Ministry of Commerce announced that from October 8-9, 2026, Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao and European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic held the second regular meeting of the China-EU Trade and Investment Consultation Mechanism (hereinafter referred to as the Mechanism) in Beijing. The two sides conducted pragmatic and productive discussions and formed a list of outcomes and consensus. Both sides reaffirmed that, as key trading partners, they will properly handle their differences within the framework of WTO rules, and are committed to continuing to stabilize bilateral economic and trade relations and making them more balanced. Both sides agreed to hold the third regular meeting of the Mechanism in March 2027, and to maintain close communication before then, including a ministerial-level video conference in January. List of Outcomes and Consensus Trade and Investment Balance 1. Both sides will continue to explore the possibility of reducing tariffs on certain goods within the framework of WTO rules. 2. Both sides will continue to strengthen communication and cooperation under the trade monitoring mechanism, and further actively leverage the role of the dialogue mechanism to enhance mutual understanding. 3. Following intensive consultations, both sides reached an understanding on hybrid vehicle trade in a manner consistent with WTO rules. 4. Both sides recalled the guidance document on price undertakings in the anti-subsidy case concerning electric vehicles, and will continue with the relevant procedures for enterprise price undertakings and reviews in the electric vehicle anti-subsidy case. 5. Both sides will continue to maintain dialogue on market access issues for medical devices. The European side welcomes the measures taken by the Chinese side to expand imports of EU medical devices, including holding a procurement matchmaking event during the 9th China International Import Expo. 6. The Chinese side will, on the basis of risk assessment, accelerate the recognition of the regionalization principle for eligible relevant EU member states. Both sides agree to exchange views on methods and technologies for disease control and jointly explore ways to lift restrictions on bluetongue imports from relevant member states. 7. Both sides agree to continue technical exchanges on computer reservation systems. Both sides agree to continue follow-up consultations on their respective regulatory frameworks for cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, in order to further address existing and emerging market access issues. 8. Both sides agree to conduct a technical dialogue on the EU Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR). 9. The European side clarified that the EU financing guidance document for inverter projects does not target any specific country, and both sides will hold further consultations on this issue. 10. Both sides agree to explore investment cooperation to promote each other's economic development, and to discuss future-oriented cooperation. Export Controls 11. Both sides reaffirm the need to further strengthen the China-EU export control dialogue, and welcome enhanced communication and exchanges on their respective export control policies, including through issuing policy guidelines, organizing government-enterprise exchange activities, and holding training sessions. 12. Both sides endorse the importance of enhancing the predictability and stability of global industrial and supply chains. The Chinese side is willing, through the "green channel" mechanism, to continue facilitating the licensing review for exports of rare earths and permanent magnets to the EU. The European side will continue, together with member states, to facilitate the resolution of key licensing cases for China in the dual-use field. 13. Both sides reaffirm their commitment to addressing concerns in the field of export controls, and discussed the possibility of introducing structural facilitation measures for China-EU compliant trade in dual-use items. 14. Both sides reached an understanding under the framework of the export control dialogue mechanism to provide advance notification before listing, enhance the transparency of listing and delisting procedures, and support the initiation of delisting procedures under their respective legal frameworks. Intellectual Property 15. China and the EU have begun addressing systemic intellectual property issues and have made progress. Both sides agree to continue cooperating to resolve relevant issues and set phased targets, focusing on effective and fair intellectual property protection and enforcement, and greater transparency and predictability. Both sides agree to monitor progress through the China-EU Intellectual Property Working Group. WTO Reform 16. Both sides agree to further strengthen bilateral communication and cooperation on WTO reform in an open and constructive manner. Both sides commit to participating in WTO reform and agree to discuss all relevant topics with a view to achieving substantive progress. This article is excerpted from the official website of the "Ministry of Commerce." Edited by GMTEight: Liu Jiayin.