Opinion: China, EU Need to Rise Above Squabbles to Get Most of Economic Relationship

There has been quite some noise recently about EU-China trade relations, including frustration at the slow pace of market reforms, accusations of protectionism, calls for reciprocity, debate on industrial overcapacity, investment screening systems, and cross-border acquisitions.

This debate should come as no surprise, considering the depth and breadth of one of the world’s largest economic relationships. And it should also come as no surprise that some of the opinions expressed are inaccurate or misleading, given the complexity of this relationship. That is why it is important to rise above this noise and set out clearly how we see this relationship, and what exactly is at stake.