EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič arrived in Beijing for a two-day visit to rebalance trade relations with China, which have grown increasingly lopsided over the past decade. The trip comes days before the October EU summit, as ties with China, the United States and the United Kingdom face tests at once.
Trade and Sovereignty
Šefčovič says he aims to rebalance EU-China trade. The account calls the relationship increasingly lopsided over the past decade, but gives no figures for the trade imbalance or details of the measures he plans to discuss in Beijing.
The visit takes place days before the October EU summit. The report calls it high-stakes, tying its timing to the upcoming meeting of EU leaders, but doesn't specify what decisions the summit may make on China or trade.
The trade commissioner’s visit puts the EU’s commercial relationship with China at the centre of the programme’s account of Europe’s external ties. It offers no figures on imports, exports, investment or industries affected by the imbalance. Nor does it identify any planned change to EU trade policy.
Rubio’s Warning in Athens
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was in Athens for the sixth round of the US–Greece Strategic Dialogue. Security, defence and energy were among the subjects discussed. Speaking the previous night, Rubio said Europe needed to awaken from its “long slumber”.
The report sets his remarks alongside Šefčovič’s Beijing visit, with both events taking place as the programme says ties with China, the US and the UK are being tested at once. It gives no further detail about what Rubio meant by “long slumber” or any specific policy proposal he made in Athens.
Other European Disputes
The programme also reported on student protests in France. Students were preparing for another major day of demonstrations after trade unions joined protests that drew more than 250,000 people across the country on Tuesday. The report doesn't state the students’ or unions’ specific demands.
UK Minister for European Relations Hamish Falconer was interviewed after UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he would weigh a “range of options” for the future relationship with the EU, including the possibility of rejoining the bloc. The account doesn't say whether the UK government has decided to pursue that option.
Belgian MEP Marc Botenga of The Left discussed a proposal to halve MEPs’ net salaries, from €8,800 to €4,400. Critics called it a populist move to grab the public’s attention.
These issues featured in Europe Today, a weekday programme presented live by Méabh Mc Mahon and Stefan Grobe. Euronews says the 20-minute programme covers the day’s key events and analysis. It’s available on television, its website and digital platforms, as well as in newsletter and podcast formats.