World Economy

EU Toughens Stance as Beijing Trade Talks Begin

The European Union is adopting a firmer negotiating position as it enters two days of talks with China aimed at preventing a destabilizing trade conflict. The discussions come as trans-Pacific shipping rates have climbed to their highest level in a year, reflecting ongoing uncertainty in U.S.-China trade relations despite a temporary armistice. China has expanded its dominance in liner shipping connectivity, according to recent data, underscoring its leverage in global freight networks. The WTO has warned that world trade faces its most severe challenge in eight decades, calling for supply chain resilience as geopolitical fragmentation accelerates. EU officials are seeking to address the widening trade imbalance with Beijing during these negotiations.