Former Chinese diplomat says EU view that Beijing is caving on trade pressure is a misjudgment

Summary

A former Chinese diplomat has warned that the European Union's perception that China is yielding to its pressure tactics on trade is a serious misjudgment. The diplomat argued that Beijing showed during last year's tariff war with the United States that it will not back down from a confrontation. The comments follow trade talks with the EU earlier this month, where the two sides agreed a quota on Chinese hybrid car exports to Europe. Some in Brussels have taken Beijing's willingness to compromise as a sign that it is giving ground.

Timeline

1. South China Morning Post

   22 Oct 2026, 13:30 UTCSource ↗

   The South China Morning Post reports that a former Chinese diplomat warned the EU's view that China is yielding to its pressure on trade is a serious misjudgment, citing Beijing's willingness to compromise in talks that produced a quota on Chinese hybrid car exports to Europe.