Dear ICES friends,
We are delighted to present the latest issue of our bi-weekly newsletter.
Few relations are as crucial and valuable as the ones - past, present, and future - connecting
Europe and China. At ICES, we believe that regular knowledge-sharing can be the bedrock that empowers
mutually beneficial partnerships and the foundation for fruitful collaborations. Every first and
third week of the month, we highlight the latest developments and fresh ideas across various fields
to enhance cross-continental communication and understanding. We invite you to explore the key
news highlights, insights, and top event recommendations from the past two weeks.
The ICES Takeaway from this Edition
Europe-China relations' ambivalence is set to last for some time.
While some European countries are increasingly looking to China for rapprochement, the stance
in Brussels remains firm on the de-risking agenda. Frictions persist over the primary points of
contention between Europe and China: Beijing views the EU's proposed Cybersecurity Law and
Industrial Accelerator Act as protectionist and has threatened countermeasures in response. In
parallel, the EU is gaining momentum in its diversification strategy to curb external
dependencies, most recently solidified by a Memorandum of Understanding with the US regarding
critical raw materials.
At the same time, there are signs of progress: not only is a deal on the EV dispute closer, but
formal dialogues between Chinese legislators and their EU counterparts have also resumed. The
perception of China among young Europeans is also increasingly positive, displaying a newfound
cultural exchange and understanding among the younger generations.
It is beyond doubt that Europe's de-risking agenda has broadened considerably, moving beyond a
China-centric economic policy to address security concerns and dependencies involving the United
States. Amidst a series of military conflicts and regional hotspots, Europe faces more diverse
and complex challenges, and the broader environment for Europe-China relations is constantly
evolving. Shifts in Europe-US relations and the upcoming China-US summit have also placed
considerable pressure on Europe. Some European leaders grow more vocal about their sense of
crisis.
Against this backdrop, think tanks in Europe are also exploring Europe's place and role in a new
emerging international order, which will undoubtedly profoundly influence the trajectory of
Europe-China relations. Perhaps, if exchanges and communication among think tanks can explore
new ideas and topics from a global perspective, and propose more forward-looking viewpoints, it
may help alleviate some of the current ambiguity.
ICES wishes you a pleasant read of this edition!
NEWS ROUND
THE WEEKS' HIGHLIGHTS: PROGRESS AND PITFALLS
China says it has made progress with EU in EV tariff dispute
Reuters, April 28, 2026
China's commerce ministry informed the press that China and the EU are reaching closer "a soft landing" when it comes to the Electric Vehicle tariff dispute.
Exclusive: EU vows to fight 'tooth and nail' for European industry as China threatens
retaliation
Euronews, April 30, 2026
EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič vowed that the EU would not back down on the defence of its industries through its proposed Industrial Accelerator Act, despite pressure from Beijing to soften elements of it.
EU-CHINA RELATIONS
European Culture Street Comes to Hangzhou
EEAS, April 17, 2026
On April 17 and 18, the Delegation of the EU to China co-hosted, along with the Hangzhou Foreign Affairs Office the 2026 European Culture Street to bring European culture to the fore, with activities, exhibitions and performances.
Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, Italy's Tajani co-chair 16th China-Italy joint
economic committee meeting to deepen trade ties
Global Times, April 17, 2026
Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and Italian deputy prime minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani co-chaired the 16th meeting of the China-Italy joint economic committee in Beijing.
Exclusive: EU-based chemical producers ask Commission to probe Chinese group over deal in
the UK
Euronews, April 18, 2026
As the Chinese LB Group is getting ready to purchase plant in the UK to facilitate exports to the EU, European chemical lobbies are urging the European commission to launch a probe into the group.
China threatens EU firms over cybersecurity plans targeting Chinese companies
SCMP and European Commission, April 20, 2026
According to a document submitted by China's commerce ministry to the European Commission on Friday, China will retaliate economically if Huawei and ZTE were to be harmed by the proposed upcoming European cybersecurity regulations.
At Beijing car show, Chinese automakers take aim at Europe's premium brands
Reuters, April 21, 2026
Chinese car companies such as Geely and Nio are now aiming for the luxury electric vehicles' market that was until recently mostly occupied by Germany.
China's top legislator meets European Parliament vice president
Xinhua and X, April 21, 2026
Zhao Leji, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), met with Vice President of the European Parliament Younous Omarjee in Beijing, where they exchanged on EU-China relations, inter-parliamentary dialogue and world stability.
China's CRRC drops bid for Lisbon metro deal as EU finds 'billions' in subsidies probe,
but is bound to win a Senegal project
SCMP and Euractiv, April 21, 2026
The Chinese railway company CRRC will not be able to keep its bid for the Lisbon metro contract, as the European Commission probe on the matter found that Chinese subsidies allowed the company to outbid its rivals. The transport company is however due to win an EU-funded contract in Senegal.
China's Russia ties mean EU trade deal is off the table, Finland says
SCMP, April 23, 2026
Finland's foreign minister sees the ties between China and Russia as a "disqualifying factor" for new talks on a free trade agreement between the EU and China.
Chinese Mission to the EU Holds the Second Event of the "China Briefing" Series on
China's High-Quality Development and China–EU Economic and Trade Cooperation
FMPRC, April 23, 2026
On April 21, 2026, the Mission of China to the EU held the second event of the "China Briefing" series in Brussels. Ma Jiantang, Member of the Standing Committee of the 14th CPPCC and Vice Chairman of the Committee of Economic Affairs, was invited to deliver a keynote lecture on "China's High-Quality Development and China–EU Economic and Trade Cooperation."
China places EU defence, aerospace firms on export control list
SCMP, April 24, 2026
China put seven entities from the EU on an export control list, which will keep them from receiving so-called dual-use items, i.e. with potential military applications. This includes the Belgium-based firearms manufacturer FN Herstal.
China removes countermeasures against two EU banks
Reuters, April 24, 2026
China's commerce ministry removed financial countermeasures against European banks that were put in place last year in response to two Chinese financial institutions being targeted by a Russia-related sanction package.
China condemns EU's inclusion of Chinese entities in sanctions package against Russia
Reuters, April 25, 2026
China's commerce ministry expressed its strong disapproval of new Russian-related sanctions as they include new China-based entities "accused of providing dual-use goods or weapons systems to Russia's military-industrial complex."
China warns EU over proposed 'Made in Europe' law
Financial Times and MOFCOM, April 27, 2026
China warned that if the Industrial Accelerator Act law harms its companies, it will take countermeasures.
Wang Yi Holds Talks with Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot
FMPRC, April 30, 2026
On April 30, 2026, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot in Beijing.
GLOBAL GOVERNANCE AND REGIONAL ISSUES SELECTED BY THE ICES
Japan opens door to global arms market with overhaul of defence export rules
Reuters, April 21, 2026
Japan is changing its defence export rules, removing restrictions on arms sales overseas. The goal is to counter China's regional influence and to partner with European countries looking to diversify from Washington.
Europeans must recognize US, China and Russia are 'dead against' us, says Macron
Politico, April 24, 2026
The French President argued that Europeans should be more assertive at defending their interests because according to him "this is a unique moment where a U.S. president, a Russian president, a Chinese president are dead against the Europeans."
EU and US deepen cooperation on critical minerals amid concerns over China's dominance
Euronews, April 25, 2026
The EU trade chief and the US Secretary of State signed a Memorandum of Understanding on a Strategic Partnership for Critical Minerals in Washington, as both the USA and the 27-nations bloc are aiming to diversify their critical minerals' supply chains.
At U.N., China denounces Japan and EU over South China Sea remarks
JapanToday, April 28, 2026
During the latest UN Security Council, China called out Japanese and EU's remarks over the South and East China seas. The remarks by Japanese vice foreign minister and the head of the EU delegation to the UN displayed their concern over tensions in the region.
WHAT CAUGHT OUR EYE: CURRENT RESEARCH AND COMMENTS
When dealing with China, grandstanding gets the EU nowhere
Euractiv, April 16, 2026
For Taciana Fisac, the EU's openly confrontational approach towards China has yielded little result, and instead advocates for closed door diplomacy on sensitive issues to better address them.
Europe Still Needs China
Foreign Affairs, April 17, 2026
Da Wei argues that Washington under the Trump administration has become a bigger threat to Europe than China as there is a fundamental rupture happening between the EU and the USA over the adherence to liberalism.
Spain's China strategy: pragmatic engagement to strengthen strategic autonomy
Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, April 20, 2026
Miguel Otero-Iglesias explores in this paper Spain's China policy which reflects the Spanish government's position that in the new world order, China cannot be ignored for uncertain autonomy gains, but engagement with Beijing should still limit "unmanaged interdependence."
'Saying you're a geopolitical actor doesn't make it so': Sven Biscop on Europe
SCMP, April 20, 2026
Sven Biscop comments on the war in Iran and argues that in a world of power politics the EU cannot pretend to be a player unless it has the military power that is a prerequisite to be one.
Chinamaxxing: Beijing's new source of soft power
ECFR, April 23, 2026
Alicja Bachulska reflects on the current social media trends where more and more young people are adopting positive views on China and its culture, its causes and what it says about the current international soft power landscape.
Daniel Gros on what China can learn from the euro as it works towards a global yuan
SCMP, April 27, 2026
Daniel Gros argues in an interview for SCMP by Sylvia Ma that China should draw lessons from the euro's experience as it goes international, and the inherent limitations of stablecoins and central bank digital currencies.
Decouple from China? Beijing now has a law against it
Asia Times, April 29, 2026
Bob Savic writes about China which passed a new law on Industrial and Supply Chain Security taking effect in early April. It will create new regulations on cross-border industrial activity extending "regulatory scrutiny beyond traditional areas such as national security reviews and antitrust enforcement to encompass a wide range of commercial conduct."
Europe's trade problem with China is becoming more measurable
Bruegel, April 30, 2026
Alicia García-Herrero analyses the different factors susceptible to explain Europe's trade deficit with China, from trade deflection caused by the USA's tariffs on Chinese imports, Beijing's industrial over-production strategy, competition for third-country market access, price compression, to low domestic consumption in China.
Embodied AI: China's ambitious path to transform its robotics industry
MERICS, April 30, 2026
Wendy Chang, Rebecca Arcesati, Altynay Junusova explore the latest advances made by China in the robotics industry, Beijing's efforts to localise hardware supply chains, the current limits of humanoid robots, and the consequences for both Chinese civil society and European industries.
EVENTS
Over the past two weeks, the ICES has actively participated in a series of events. We are delighted to share some of our insights:
On Thursday 23 April, the EUISS organised a webinar on the latest paper from Alicia Garcia-Herrero and Tim Rühlig titled "China – a fragile power? How Europe can use its economic leverage over Beijing". Both authors were present to summarise their findings and opinions on the way the EU could and should be using its economic leverage vis-à-vis China in light of the growing Chinese export-led model.
Alicia Garcia-Herrero thus explained that while China is a fast-growing superpower, its strong exporting model also presented fragilities, since its reliance on external demand for growth coupled with low internal demand and consumption has actually led to a less rapid economic growth than anticipated.
Tim Rühlig also emphasised the current dependence of Europe on China, especially from European companies needing access to the Chinese market, and how the low domestic demand in China made it especially difficult for European companies. By contrast, Mr Rühlig also pointed out that one reason the export-led model of China could be used as leverage is the relatively integrated nature of the European market, with high purchasing power customers as well.
On 28 April 2026, the German Institute for International and Security Affairs held a closed-door seminar on its latest study, "Multipolarity: The World-order Visions of Others." The discussion examined how seven countries: China, India, Indonesia, Russia, South Africa, Turkey, and the United States, understand "multipolarity".
Overall, perceptions and levels of support differ markedly. China, India, Russia, and South Africa are broadly supportive; Turkey shows support at the regional level; Indonesia and the United States take a more cautious or negative view. Participants generally agreed that the United Nations remains a key pillar of the current international legal order, while regional cooperation mechanisms continue to play a constructive role in global governance.
On 30 April 2026, the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) organised an event based on its "Economic Security Strategy" report, outlining member companies' views and recommendations. Officials from the European Commission and a representative from Siemens took part. The survey shows that German companies attach high importance to economic security and are actively pursuing de-risking measures. Around 85 percent reported difficulties in sourcing alternative raw materials or products. Businesses stressed that policies should prioritise "operability" and "predictability". In response, the German government has established two dedicated units to improve coordination with the Commission. The report also argues that de-risking should not be applied across the board, but rather focused on genuinely "critical sectors."
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Please note that all news and views cited in this bulletin, if not otherwise indicated, do not represent the position of ICES.