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EU leaders debate new China trade policy over ‘systemic threat’

Leaders from the 27 European Union member states have met in Brussels to counter Beijing’s growing economic influence.

Published: 7:23pm, 19 Jun 2026Updated: 7:16pm, 19 Jun 2026

Leaders from the European Union’s 27 member states gathered for dinner in Brussels on Thursday to discuss a new trade strategy and address economic threats from China. While the full picture is not clear yet, SCMP chief Europe correspondent Finbarr Bermingham shares some early takeaways from this pivotal European Council debate – the first of its kind in three years.

EU leaders debate new China trade policy over ‘systemic threat’

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Leaders from the 27 European Union member states have met in Brussels to counter Beijing’s growing economic influence.

Leaders from the 27 European Union member states have met in Brussels to counter Beijing’s growing economic influence.