Issue Brief on “EU and China Economic Cooperation: Opportunities and Challenges”

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The EU and China have seen significant growth in their economic cooperation. Both countries are major global trading partners and work together on various financial and economic issues, to tackle mutual challenges. The EU is committed to free trade ties with China, and wants to ensure that China trades equitably, respects intellectual property, and, as a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), fulfills its responsibilities. Outside mutual trade and investment ties, the EU collaborates with China on investment and trade issues, especially at the WTO. The EU is interested in the Chinese market and also provides support to European small and medium enterprises (SMEs), especially through the China IPR SME Helpdesk and the EU SME center.[1]

Since the establishment of political ties in 1975, this cooperation has developed substantially; especially following China’s joining the WTO. However, in 2020, the EU started to reevaluate its ties with China in light of a changing geopolitical environment as technological advancements and governance systems acknowledged China as both an important ally and a global rival.[2]

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