EU-China trade truce frays as both sides dispute who backed down first

Summary

Less than two weeks after Brussels and Beijing struck a surprise deal to avert an escalating trade dispute, their fragile truce has become a battle over who blinked first. Officials in Brussels and Berlin see the deal as proof that collective EU pressure can force Chinese concessions, and are preparing a fresh batch of trade restrictions. Beijing has bristled at the idea that it can be strong-armed.

Timeline

1. South China Morning Post

   22 Oct 2026, 12:00 UTCSource ↗

   Less than two weeks after Brussels and Beijing struck a surprise deal to avert an escalating trade dispute, the South China Morning Post reports their fragile rapprochement has turned into a war of words over who blinked first, with EU officials emboldened and preparing new trade restrictions while Beijing bristles at being strong-armed.