EU Parliament pushes stronger measures against China amid mounting trade and security tensions

In a near-unanimous vote, the European Parliament approved a resolution demanding tougher EU action against China, describing the country as a key supporter of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and a manipulator of Europe’s rare-earth supply chain. The parliament urged the use of the Anti-Coercion Instrument to counter any Chinese exploitation of critical material dependencies. The move comes as EU Trade Chief Maroš Šefčovič travels to Beijing for crucial talks aimed at rebalancing strained trade ties.

EU leaders, all running trade deficits with China, are pressing the European Commission for concrete outcomes from the negotiations. The resolution also reflects growing alarm over Chinese dumping, espionage, and its diplomatic backing of Moscow, marking a sharp escalation in EU-China relations.