EU Parliament calls for tougher China policy on trade, Russia and security

Strasbourg, 7 October 2026

Call for economic reciprocity and a proportionate EU response if China does not open its markets
China should use its influence on Russia to help end the war in Ukraine
Pressure should be kept up on Beijing to ease repression and free political prisoners

The European Parliament demands a stronger and principled EU-China policy that combines dialogue with more protection of European interests.

In a recommendation adopted on Wednesday by 454 votes in favour, 86 against and 110 abstentions and addressed to the other EU institutions, MEPs state the EU’s interest is in reinforcing a multilateral world. They stress the importance of dialogue with China on global challenges, peace and security, climate and human rights. At the same time, they note that bilateral relations have reached a critical point due to China’s unfair economic practices and its position on Russia’s war against Ukraine. MEPs express deep concern over verified reports that the Chinese military has trained Russian military personnel to fight in Ukraine. The EU should, they argue, coordinate with the United States, G7 members, and other like-minded partners, and encourage China to use its influence on Russia to help end the war.

Reducing dependencies and defending European values

MEPs say urgent action is needed against the weaponisation of EU economic overreliance on China, alongside a rigorous de-risking strategy focused on critical raw materials, medicines, batteries, electric vehicles, information and communication technology, semiconductors and other strategic sectors. They call for stronger investment screening and protection of critical technologies, infrastructure and supply chains. Parliament identifies China’s industrial overcapacity, state subsidies, and other restrictions on European firms’ access to the Chinese market as growing challenges to the EU economy.

MEPs demand reciprocity and a level playing field in trade and investment and support proportionate EU action where China fails to open its internal markets. It also calls for stronger Global Gateway partnerships providing a credible alternative to China’s belt and road initiative, particularly in Africa and Latin America. The report reaffirms the EU’s One China policy while opposing any unilateral change to the status quo in Taiwan by force or coercion.

MEPs call for stronger resilience against cyberattacks, foreign interference, espionage and hybrid threats, while demanding reinforced human rights dialogue and pressure on China over repression, forced labour and policies in Tibet and Xinjiang. Parliament expresses deep concern over the adoption of the Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress and its potential to further institutionalise assimilationist policies. They also call for the unconditional release of political prisoners.

Quote

Rapporteur Hilde Vautmans (Renew, BE) said:

Today’s majority marks a turning point in Europe’s China policy. With this week’s Franco-German initiative, a broad EU consensus is emerging on the need for a more balanced economic relationship with China. I hope Commissioner Šefčovič will take this united economic message to Beijing tomorrow. But this report goes even further: we want cooperation with China where possible, while standing firm on our security and values. As long as fundamental differences persist, systemic rivalry will also be part of our relationship.”

Background

Between March and June 2026 three parliamentary delegations visited China; a fourth should follow later in October 2026. Direct contacts between the European Parliament and Chinese authorities resumed last year after being effectively frozen since 2021, when the Chinese government imposed sanctions on several MEPs in response to the EU’s human rights sanctions against Chinese officials and organisations.

Further information

Source – EU Parliament

Statement by MEP David McAllister (EPP/CDU) on EU-China relations

On the recommendation on political relations between the EU and China adopted today, David McAllister (CDU), Chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, said:

“The European Union is interested in constructive cooperation with China. Dialogue remains indispensable on global challenges such as climate change. Cooperation requires reciprocity, fair competition and respect for international law. Parliament’s recommendation sets out clear expectations for Beijing in this regard.

Chinese overcapacity, state subsidies and unequal competitive conditions are putting European companies under pressure. The ongoing talks between the Chinese government and the European Commission must deliver measurable progress. Otherwise, the EU must deploy its trade policy instruments in a targeted and proportionate manner. At the same time, supply chains need to be diversified and critical dependencies reduced. This is how Europe can preserve its economic capacity to act.

As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, China bears a particular international responsibility. Beijing must use its influence on the Kremlin to help bring Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine to an end. China’s stance on this war will also have a decisive impact on the future development of its relations with the EU.”

Disclaimer: This English translation is provided for informational purposes only. In the event of any discrepancies or legal interpretations, the German version shall prevail and is the only legally binding text.

Source – EPP/CDU (by email)

MEP Tobias Cremer (S&D/SPD): Europe’s security is not a bargaining chip between Trump and Xi

Strasbourg, 7 October 2026

The European Parliament in Strasbourg has adopted its recommendations on the EU’s political relations with China. In doing so, Parliament is increasing political pressure on the Member States, the European Commission and the EU High Representative to pursue a common European approach towards Beijing.

Tobias Cremer, spokesperson on foreign and security policy for the German SPD delegation in the European Parliament:

“I welcome Parliament’s decision, because Europe’s security must not become a bargaining chip between Trump and Xi. We must represent our interests and values confidently and independently, including in our dealings with Beijing. But we can only do that together. With this decision, Parliament is therefore calling for a common European China policy and an independent European course.

This means dialogue and cooperation where we have shared interests, and clarity and consistency where our security, our economic capacity to act, our values and international law are concerned. Beijing must be judged not only by its rhetoric, but above all by its actions. Anyone who sees themselves as a force for peace cannot at the same time politically, economically and militarily support Russia’s war of aggression.

The same applies to Taiwan: conflicts must be resolved peacefully. Military threats and unilateral changes to the status quo are unacceptable. Nor should we remain silent, for the sake of diplomatic convenience, about human rights violations in Xinjiang or repression in Hong Kong and Tibet.

We want to work constructively with China, whether on climate action, AI, global health or peace and security. But dialogue on an equal footing requires clear positions. We Social Democrats in the European Parliament stand for a Europe that reduces dependencies, deepens partnerships and negotiates with China from a position of European strength. Now the Member States must also act together.”

Source – Europa-SPD (by email)

ECR Group: Europe must break its dangerous dependence on China

7 October 2026

Europe must reduce its strategic dependence on China and take a much more clear-eyed approach towards Beijing, ECR MEPs warned during today’s European Parliament debate on EU-China relations.

For the ECR Group, China’s support for Russia’s war against Ukraine, growing pressure on Taiwan, unfair economic practices and systematic human-rights abuses make continued European dependence on Beijing increasingly difficult to justify.

Speaking ahead of the vote on a resolution, ECR Shadow Rapporteur Sebastian Tynkkynen said:

“China is the key enabler of Russia’s war of destruction and conquest against Ukraine. Without China’s diplomatic, economic and material support, Russia’s terrorist forces would be in a considerably weaker position.

“This is a Communist Party dictatorship that systematically oppresses ethnic and religious minorities and tramples on human rights. China’s apparatus of oppression does not stop at its own borders. Rather, it puts pressure on and harasses dissidents around the world, including here in our own countries. If we build a closer partnership with China, we will be neglecting our own values and our own security.”

The ECR Group is calling for Europe to reduce its exposure to Chinese supply chains, technologies and other strategic dependencies, particularly in sectors that are important for Europe’s economic and national security.

Speaking in the plenary debate, ECR MEP Mariusz Kamiński said:

“We must always remember the true nature of the Chinese state. We demand that China respect the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the rules of the World Trade Organization. Our relations with Beijing must be based on respect for these principles.

“Chinese prisons are filled with thousands of political prisoners. Let me symbolically name just a few heroes of the struggle for freedom: Jimmy Lai, sentenced to 20 years for defending the rights of the people of Hong Kong; Uyghur professor Ilham Tohti; and the Tibetan Panchen Lama.”

ECR MEP Alberico Gambino warned that Europe must also confront its own responsibility for the loss of competitiveness and growing strategic dependence on China, pointing in particular to the impact of an overly restrictive green transition on European industry. Gambino said:

“Today we’re talking about the trade imbalance with China and our strategic dependencies, but we need to have the courage of our convictions and really face up to our own failings. We have imposed too constrictive an ideological and green technological transition.

“We’ve stopped our countries supporting their companies and some of them have been really run into the ground, and we’re losing competitiveness as a result. Therefore, it’s not walls against Beijing that we need, it’s better protection of our own industry, of our own employment and a strategic approach.”

ECR MEP Arkadiusz Mularczyk criticised EU policies that have weakened European industry while increasing China’s competitive advantage, particularly in the automotive sector. He also warned against allowing Chinese interests to gain control over strategically important European transport infrastructure.

Mularczyk said:

“With their subsidies, they’re flooding us with electric cars. And because of the green madness and the ban of ICE engines, this has weakened our automotive industry and opened the door for Chinese domination.

“Others are building logistical centres in Europe, buying out our seaports and terminals as they do in Greece. It’s not a free market, it’s a strategic overtake with Brussels doing nothing.”

ECR MEP Bert-Jan Ruissen focused on another aspect of Europe’s relationship with Beijing: the persecution of Christians and other religious minorities. He highlighted the case of the ‘Zion 8’, eight Christians detained for practising their faith and organising online worship.

Ruissen said:

“These are eight Christians who have been detained in China for over a year, in terrible circumstances, in an absolutely rammed detention centre, with no proper medical treatment and very stringent disciplinary procedures. And why is this? Simply because they were practising their faith and organising online worship.

“We need to call this out. I call upon the Council and the Commission to urge China to release the Zion 8 as soon as possible. We have really got to make sure that we keep this at the centre point of our talks with China.”

For the ECR Group, reducing economic dependencies must go hand in hand with a firmer response to China’s repression of ethnic and religious minorities, its treatment of political opponents and its attempts to intimidate dissidents beyond its own borders.

The Group also stresses the importance of working closely with the United States and other democratic partners to strengthen resilient supply chains, protect critical infrastructure and develop a coordinated response to China’s growing economic and geopolitical influence.

Source – ECR Group