EU's Last Chance to Fix Trade with China: What It Means for You
Your job and prices could depend on these talks.
Deep Dive
Brussels hopes China’s commerce ministry will agree to a modest “proof-of-concept” arrangement at top-level meetings in Beijing. Non-stop working-level talks have proven difficult, with the lopsided trade balance showing little sign of narrowing.
Indeed, Beijing’s enormous trading surplus with the 27-member bloc has expanded further in the intervening quarter. However, Beijing is believed to no longer outright reject the suggestion that there are problems in its trade ties with Europe.
Key Points
- The EU is pushing China for a small test deal to prove trade talks can work.
- China's trade surplus with Europe keeps growing, hurting European businesses.
- If talks fail, prices for everyday goods could rise and jobs could be lost.
Why It Matters
Trade talks affect prices you pay and jobs in your community.