EU to Address China's Trade Practices at WTO Meeting

EU to Demand WTO Reforms Amid China Trade Concerns​

Brussels, March 25 – The European Union will address the issue of China’s exports impacting European industries at the World Trade Organization (WTO) meeting in Cameroon this week, according to EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Maros Sefcovic.

WTO Reform and China’s Economic Impact​

Sefcovic stated he would demand serious reforms of the WTO during the meeting. He emphasized that China’s economic rise has significantly altered the global trade environment in recent decades. He believes a “new balance” is required to adjust the rights and obligations of WTO members, aiming to combat overcapacity and its associated economic challenges within the European economy. Sefcovic highlighted the need to better address overcapacity and non-market policies compared to previous approaches.

The EU’s trade deficit with China has increased significantly. Data from Bruegel, an EU policy think tank, indicates a surge from $335 billion in 2024 to $375 billion in 2025. Beijing’s global trade surplus reached a record $1.2 trillion last year and is projected to surpass that figure in 2026. This increase coincides with a surge in Chinese exports to the EU and the redirection of cheap Chinese-manufactured goods, partially driven by existing US tariffs.

Addressing Trade Disputes​

Beyond confronting China, Sefcovic called for “new governance models” to facilitate trade disputes between member states. He cited the US’s blockage of WTO appellate body judges as an impediment, allowing members to circumvent court rulings.

WTO Membership and Global Trade​

China, the world’s second-largest economy and the EU’s third-largest trading partner, joined the WTO in 2001, six years after the organization’s creation in Geneva.