BRUSSELS – The European Union and China agreed on Saturday to continue discussions on export control policies. EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic spoke after the meeting. Officials met in Brussels to ease trade tensions, particularly over China’s rare earth export restrictions, which are crucial for technology industries worldwide.
The talks focused on China’s recent controls over rare earth exports. Beijing agreed to suspend the planned expansion of these controls for one year. The suspension specifically applies to trade with the European Union, providing stability for European manufacturers that rely on these materials.
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Sefcovic said both sides reaffirmed their commitment to dialogue. They aim to improve the implementation of export control policies and reduce misunderstandings that could disrupt global trade and investment.
Officials also discussed Nexperia, a Chinese-owned semiconductor company recently taken over by the Dutch government. The takeover raised concerns over Europe’s chip supply, especially for carmakers and electronics manufacturers. Both sides stressed the need to secure supply chains and maintain market stability.
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The EU will continue hosting meetings with Chinese officials to maintain engagement. Leaders hope ongoing dialogue will prevent further trade friction and support cooperation on critical technology, rare earth resources, and high-tech industry growth.