EU's Trade Deficit With China Reaches €1 Billion a Day

European Union leaders met in Brussels to address the bloc's widening goods trade imbalance with China, which now averages approximately €1 billion ($1.15 billion) per day, Shubhendu Vimal reported for Investment Monitor.

China's goods trade surplus with the EU climbed to €360.6 billion ($413.4 billion) in 2025

According to Reuters, diplomats reported growing agreement among member states that the trade deficit has become a serious and worsening concern, particularly as access to the US market has tightened under new transatlantic tariffs.

China's goods trade surplus with the EU climbed to €360.6 billion ($413.4 billion) in 2025, up 15 percent from the previous year.

During the first four months of 2026, the surplus expanded by an additional 10 percent as Chinese exports to Europe increased while EU exports to China declined.

European manufacturers have also faced challenges arising from China's restrictions on rare earth exports, introduced in April 2025 in response to US tariffs. The measures have heightened concerns over Europe's dependence on Chinese-processed critical minerals.

Summit conclusions called on the European Commission to secure concrete outcomes from trade negotiations with key partners while ensuring the bloc maintains effective tools to protect its economic interests.

EU leaders also endorsed broader trade diversification efforts, building on mineral supply agreements and free-trade arrangements reached with Australia, India and Indonesia during the past year.