Joint Statement at the second meeting of the EU-China Trade and Investment Consultations

On 8-9 October 2026, Wang Wentao, Minister of Commerce of China, and Maroš Šefčovič, Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Interinstitutional Relations and Transparency, of the European Commission, held the second meeting of the EU-China Trade and Investment Consultations (TIC) in Beijing. The two sides had pragmatic and productive discussions, and reached a list of deliverables and understandings (see annex).

As key trading partners, the two sides reaffirmed to properly handling differences under the framework of WTO rules and commit to continue working with the view to stabilise and make the bilateral relationship more balanced. With this objective in mind, the two sides agreed to hold the third TIC ministerial meeting in March 2027. Prior to that, the two sides will maintain close communication, including holding a ministerial video-conference in January.

Annex

Trade and investment balancing

1. Both sides will continue, within the framework of WTO rules, to explore the possibility of tariff reductions or elimination for certain goods.
2. The two sides will continue to strengthen communication and cooperation under the trade monitoring mechanism, and actively utilise the function of the dialogue mechanism in enhancing mutual understanding.
3. Following intensive consultations, both sides have reached an understanding on trade in hybrid vehicles in a WTO compliant manner.
4. The two sides recalled the guidance document on the price undertakings of the BEVs anti-subsidy case, and will continue the procedures relating to corporate price undertakings and reviews.
5. The two sides will continue to engage in dialogue on the market access of medical devices. The EU welcomes China's effort to increase import of medical devices from the EU, including through a match-making event during the 9th China International Import Expo (CIIE).
6. China will accelerate recognition of the regionalisation principle for eligible EU Member States on the basis of risk assessment. The two sides agreed to carry out exchanges on the methodologies and technologies for disease control, with a view to jointly exploring ways to lift the restrictions on relevant animal products affected by the bluetongue disease from relevant Member States.
7. The two sides also agreed to continue technical-level exchanges on computer reservation systems and to follow-up on consultations on their respective cosmetics and pharmaceutical related regulatory frameworks, with the view to further addressing the existing and emerging market access barriers.
8. The two sides agreed to engage on a technical dialogue on FSR.
9. On the EU guidance on the use of EU funds for clean energy projects involving certain inverters, the EU clarified that its official guidance is country neutral and the two sides will engage in further discussions on this issue.  
10. The two sides agreed to explore how investment can bring more benefits to their economies and to discuss future-oriented cooperation.

Export controls

11. The two sides reaffirmed the need to further strengthen the EU-China Export Control Dialogue, and welcomed increased exchanges and communication on respective export control policies, including through guidance, outreach and trainings.
12. The two sides agreed on the importance of improving predictability and stability for global industrial supply chains. China is willing to continue facilitating export licenses for the supply of rare earths and permanent magnets to the EU through the fast-track mechanism. The EU side will continue to work with Member State authorities to facilitate specific priority licences to China among dual-use sectors.
13. The two sides reaffirmed their objective to work toward addressing issues of concern in the field of export controls and discussed the possibility to investigate structural facilitation measures for compliant dual-use exports between the EU and China.
14. The two sides reached an understanding in the context of the Export Control Dialogue to provide advance warning and to improve the transparency of listing and delisting procedures, and supported steps to delist entities, consistently with their applicable legislation.

IPR

15. The EU and China have engaged in resolving systemic intellectual property related concerns with some progress. The two sides agreed on the need to continue the collaboration to address the concerns with some milestones, focusing on efficient and fair intellectual property protection and enforcement, as well as greater transparency and predictability. The two sides agreed to monitor progress through the EU-China Intellectual Property Working Group. 

WTO

16. The two sides agree to further strengthen bilateral communication and cooperation on WTO reform in an open and constructive manner. The two sides commit to engaging in WTO reform and agree to discuss all related issues, with a view to advancing substantive progress.