EU: Exports to China Lower Than to Switzerland, Trade Deficit 'Unsustainable'

(Central News Agency, Taipei, June 5) As the EU and China teeter on the brink of a trade war, trade representatives from both sides met in Paris on Wednesday. EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic emphasized after the meeting that while both the EU and China are committed to mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, the widening trade deficit with China is 'unsustainable,' noting that EU exports to China are even lower than exports to Switzerland.

According to a report by the South China Morning Post, Sefcovic met with China's International Trade Representative and Vice Minister of Commerce Li Chenggang on Wednesday on the sidelines of the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting in Paris. He made the remarks after the meeting.

Data from Eurostat shows that in 2025, EU exports to China were €199.6 billion, while imports were €559.4 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of €359.8 billion. In the same year, total EU exports to Switzerland reached €219.5 billion.

According to the report, Sefcovic began his press conference by stressing the need to formulate policies as soon as possible to address non-market behaviors and overcapacity that distort global markets, a clear reference to China.

He further emphasized that the EU's daily trade deficit with China amounts to €1 billion, and EU commissioners unanimously agree that the current situation is 'unsustainable.'

'I hope we can have a very detailed discussion on how to solve the growing trade deficit, how to ensure that EU exports to China can also grow, because China is a huge economy, but our exports to China are less than our exports to Switzerland,' Sefcovic said.

However, Sefcovic mentioned that his goal is to take a pragmatic, results-oriented approach to address issues of mutual concern, rather than allowing the situation to escalate.

Sefcovic noted that both sides have decided to fully prepare for a meeting between him and Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao in Brussels later this month. Teams from both sides are expected to travel between the EU and China for meaningful discussions and to prepare for 'concrete results.'

The report said Brussels has been working to streamline its dialogue mechanisms with China from about 60 working groups into a more manageable format. A spokesperson for China's Ministry of Commerce confirmed on Saturday that both sides are exploring the 'establishment of a trade and investment consultation mechanism' and will initiate related dialogues.

Sefcovic stressed the need for more high-level dialogues between Brussels and Beijing, with a frequency comparable to trade talks between Beijing and Washington. Since last year, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng have held seven meetings.

The report mentioned that EU sources previously stated that both sides would work to establish a new platform for discussing trade and investment issues, as Brussels prepares to strengthen its response to China's economic practices.

According to Chinese media outlet The Paper, during a regular press conference held by China's Foreign Ministry in the afternoon, a Bloomberg reporter asked whether the EU trade representative had demanded that China address its 'unsustainable' trade balance, and requested further details on the discussions between China and the EU so far, as well as China's concerns about potential EU measures targeting Chinese trade practices.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated that China believes the essence of China-EU economic and trade relations is mutual benefit and win-win, and that China has never deliberately pursued a trade surplus.

Mao said China is willing to engage in dialogue and communication with the EU, and hopes the EU will adhere to the basic principles of a market economy, such as free trade, fair competition, and open cooperation, avoid protectionist measures, and insist on handling differences and resolving mutual concerns through dialogue and consultation.

The European Commission held a meeting on May 29 to discuss how to protect key industries from the impact of Chinese competitors. The European Commission stated that the EU must take stronger measures to balance its trade relationship with China. (Editor: Yang Shengru) 1150605