China, EU leaders’ plan for joint statement in Brussels hits snag over market access row, EU sources say
- Two sides said to be at odds over extent to which access to China’s market should be improved
- Months of talks have focused on the wording of a possible joint statement during Premier Li Keqiang’s visit
China and the European Union may not be able to issue a joint statement during Premier Li Keqiang’s visit to Brussels next week as the two sides are bickering over the extent to which access to China’s market should be improved, EU sources told the South China Morning Post.
Germany, France, Britain, Sweden and the Netherlands are understood to be among the countries strongly opposed to putting their names on a final deal, despite Chinese efforts to conclude an agreement with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and European Council leader Donald Tusk.
An EU source with direct knowledge of the preliminary negotiations with China expressed discontent over the new foreign investment bill that Beijing passed in a move that was widely viewed as an effort to placate Washington amid trade talks.
Many EU countries also worry about a surge of Chinese takeovers in critical sectors.
“The EU would like to see improved conditions for European companies in China,” an EU source said on Friday. “We think it’s necessary to have an equal degree of openness for EU companies to access the Chinese markets, as Chinese companies find here in the European market.”
