Despite global tensions and the 2025 Trump tariff war, trade between the European Union and China last year remained strong.<\/p>\n
The EU exported \u20ac199.6 billion worth of goods to China, while imports reached \u20ac559.4 billion, creating a trade deficit of \u20ac359.8 billion, according to the latest Eurostat figures.<\/p>\n
Compared with 2024, EU exports fell by 6.5%, while imports from the Asian giant rose by 6.4%.<\/p>\n
But over the longer term, since 2015, EU exports to China have grown by 37.1%, while imports have surged by 89%.<\/p>\n
EU exports to China are led by machinery and mechanical appliances, such as machines for preparing textile fibres and harvesting machinery, making up 22.7% of the total.<\/p>\n
They are followed by electrical machinery, such as storage water heaters and hair clippers, and audio-visual equipment at 14.5%, and vehicles at 8.2%.<\/p>\n
On the import side, just five categories account for nearly two-thirds of all goods.<\/p>\n
Electrical machinery and audio-visual equipment alone represent 29.5%, followed by machinery and mechanical appliances at 19%.<\/p>\n
Related<\/p>\n
Redirection of trade<\/p>\n
The impacts of the 2025 Trump tariff war led the countries to adjust production networks and logistics and redirect shipments to non-tariffed markets.<\/p>\n
For instance, in 2025, China offset US market losses by expanding trade with Southeast Asia, Europe and Africa.<\/p>\n
Yet, trade flows proved resilient, with both European and Chinese exports continuing to grow, according to Brussels-based think tank Bruegel.<\/p>\n
However, the bloc is struggling to contain a ballooning trade deficit with China, which has raised serious concerns of unfair competition<\/a>, industrial decline and mass unemployment across Europe.<\/p>\n Even though Brussels has for years complained about the harmful effects of Beijing’s state-run economic model, such as industrial overcapacity and extensive subsidies, EU member states cannot agree on a common line of action to push back.<\/p>\n