EU-China open crunch talks in Beijing on hybrid car export surge

EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic is engaged in two days of high-stakes talks in Beijing with Chinese officials, including Trade Minister Wang Wentao, to address a bilateral trade deficit of approximately €1 billion per day and the surge in Chinese hybrid car exports. China has reportedly rejected an EU request to voluntarily cap hybrid vehicle exports prior to these talks, indicating continued friction. The outcome remains uncertain, with potential for either a pilot agreement to de-escalate tensions or an escalation to retaliatory tariffs.