2025: A landmark year in China-EU relations, but a tough one in trade

The year 2025 marked half a century of diplomatic ties between China and the European Union – a relationship that has grown dramatically over the years with trade between the two accounting for more than 30 percent of the world's gross domestic product. 

Trade tensions have become increasingly pronounced but both sides remain committed to mutually beneficial cooperation. 

The Associated Center of Eurasian for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ACEIE) seeks to foster that spirit of collaboration. And the World Young Scientists Summit, held in Brussels back in October, sought to bring together young minds to help tackle some of the world's most pressing issues. 

ACEIE Chairman Dr. Zhiwei Song says events like this can also build bridges between China and Europe. 

"There are quite a lot of misunderstandings from the cultural point of view and from the way of working so there are a lot of things we think that we have to really sit down and discuss to understand each other," Song told CGTN. 

To mark 50 years of diplomatic ties, back in July leaders representing the European Union visited Beijing to mark the occasion and herald a partnership now worth nearly 30 percent of global trade.

As cooperation has deepened between the sides, the EU warns that so have the imbalances. The trade deficit stood at roughly $350 billion last year, something European officials warn is not sustainable. EU leaders call it a complex relationship and stress a need for de-risking, rather than decoupling. 

But 2025 ended on a sour note with China imposing duties of up to 43 percent of European dairy products. Both sides have faced accusations of using unfair subsidies to support their various industries and talks have been ongoing throughout the year to address these issues.

"We remain committed to strengthening the EU China trade and economic and investment relationship for mutual benefit," said Olof Gill, Deputy Chief Spokesperson at the European Commission. 

"But in order for that to meaningfully happen there are a list of issues and concerns that the European Union has had going back many months and even years that we would require China to address."

Despite the headwinds, areas of collaboration remain, such as the common fight against global warming.  

"We have to stress that there are still important links between Europe and China, that will continue," said Bernard Dewit, Chairman of the Belgian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, in an interview with CGTN.

"We cannot ignore China and I think the philosophy should be, we should try to find common ground to be positive, to try to overcome the difficulties."

European leaders say the relationship is at an inflection point and call for pragmatic solutions to help forge stronger ties for the next 50 years and beyond.