EU seeks comprehensive trade pact with China by early next year, says MEP Lange

Bernd Lange, chair of the European Parliament’s International Trade Committee, expressed optimism that a comprehensive deal could be reached by March next year. He pointed to a recent round of negotiations in China led by European Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič as a sign of forward movement. Nonetheless, disputes remain over Chinese electric vehicles, industrial overcapacity, rare earths and market access. The EU is pressing Beijing for more reciprocal trade terms, and Lange noted that once agreements are signed, China tends to honor them.