Brussels(Brussels Morning Newspaper) October 31, 2026 – The European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade (INTA) has concluded a three-day official delegation visit to China, urging increased operational engagement and concrete outcomes to resolve persistent bilateral trade imbalances. Led by committee chair Bernd Lange, the parliamentary delegation met senior Chinese government and legislative officials in Beijing, Hangzhou, and Shanghai between October 27 and October 29. Talks focused on market access barriers for European firms, industrial subsidies, critical raw material availability, supply-chain predictability, and the implementation of recent agreements governing hybrid vehicle imports.
The official mission marked the first dedicated INTA delegation visit to the People’s Republic of China since 2018, as well as the fourth broader European Parliament delegation dispatched to China in 2026. Throughout the high-level meetings, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) emphasized that neither economic bloc would benefit from trade conflict, emphasizing that structured, regular dialogue represents the primary mechanism for establishing mutual trust and securing level economic playing fields.
Trade Dialogue and Measured Outcomes
The delegation’s conclusion highlighted the role of the established Trade and Investment Consultation (TIC) framework in delivering practical economic progress. Addressing the outcome of the three-day tour, delegation leader and INTA Chair Bernd Lange (S&D, Germany) noted the changing international context since the committee’s prior visit eight years ago.
“The world has drastically changed since our last visit to China in 2018,” Lange stated. “The opportunity to exchange viewpoints on the continuation of the Trade and Investment Consultation (TIC) framework has come at a pivotal moment in EU-China relations. The recent TIC agreement on hybrid car imports is a good starting point in stabilising fair trade and producing benefits for people on the ground. However, we made clear to our Chinese counterparts that we expect to see more sectors following the same approach in the future, alongside the credible implementation of existing commitments. This is important not only for improving trade relations, but also to strengthen economic and political ties between us. I also welcome the fruitful exchanges on increasing transparency on subsidies and supply chains.”
Supporting the call for accelerated progress, Pascal Canfin (Renew, France), INTA standing rapporteur for trade relations with China, stressed the need for structural corrections in bilateral commercial exchanges.
“It was important for the European Parliament to convey a sense of urgency during our mission, to stabilise and rebalance the EU-China trade relationship,” Canfin stated. “Interdependence is at the heart of our relations; this is not necessarily a bad thing. However, the Chinese export model is simply not sustainable for the EU. Once we see an imbalance on one side, the EU can trigger measures. The EU’s strategy is based on dialogue, but we also need to see results. The TIC talks created momentum and produced concrete outcomes. We hope to continue in the same spirit and deliver more for our citizens on both sides, in the near future.”
Key Operational Concerns and Market Access Obstacles
During proceedings in Beijing, MEPs detailed systemic challenges encountered by European companies operating within the Chinese domestic market. Primary topics included regulatory barriers, foreign enterprise decrees, overcapacity in key manufacturing sectors, and secure access to critical raw materials essential for the European Union’s industrial transition.
The visiting parliamentary representatives outlined upcoming legislative initiatives designed to strengthen European industrial self-reliance and protect regional supply chain security. Simultaneously, the delegation reaffirmed the European Parliament’s commitment to multilateral trade governance through the World Trade Organization (WTO).
High-Level Ministerial Meetings and Regional Technology Inspections
The parliamentary delegation held formal meetings with key political leaders in Beijing, including Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao; Cai Dafeng and Li Hongzhong, Vice-Chairs of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC); and Zhong Shan, Chairperson of the NPC Financial and Economic Affairs Committee. In addition, the delegation conducted roundtable exchanges with representatives of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China to evaluate operational data regarding business conditions on the ground.
Following political meetings in the capital, the delegation traveled to major technological and economic hubs in Zhejiang and Shanghai provinces. In Hangzhou, members visited technology firms, including robotics designer Unitree and neurotechnology developer BrainCo. In Shanghai, the delegation concluded its itinerary with a formal bilateral meeting with Vice-Mayor Lu Shan.
