Finland’s leader set for 4-day China visit as Europe seeks to counter Trump pressure
Petteri Orpo to lead executives from more than 20 companies in first China visit by a Finnish prime minister since 2017
Finland’s prime minister begins a four-day visit to China on Sunday, heading a large business delegation on a trip designed to forge closer ties with Beijing amid pressure from coercive US policies.
Observers expect cooperation to largely focus on low-risk areas such as green technology and climate-related projects, but warn that geopolitics – particularly involving US-EU ties and Europe’s growing security concerns – are likely to limit any breakthroughs.
Orpo will be the second EU leader to visit China in three weeks – following Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin’s trip in early January – and the first Finnish prime minister to do so since 2017.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb paid a state visit to China in October 2024.
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Chinese leader Xi Jinping seeks closer ties with Finland on green energy, peace plan for Ukraine
Orpo’s trip also comes days after a visit by Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada, when the fellow Nato member struck a broad deal with Beijing to cut tariffs and restore ties following years of hostility.