European Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic is heading to Beijing for key talks aimed at cutting the European Union's growing trade deficit with China. He will meet Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao on October 8 and 9.

The EU's goods trade deficit with China runs at more than 1 billion euros a day. Brussels says this threatens to destroy European industry and thousands of jobs.

Sefcovic has said he wants "tangible results" by October. The findings will go to EU leaders meeting in Brussels on October 15 and 16, where China trade tops the agenda.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has said the imbalance reached a tipping point. Europe plans to use all tools available to rebalance the relationship.

The EU wants China to open its markets more to European firms and to curb export surges. It is also pushing for a clear licensing system for rare earths and critical minerals after Beijing imposed export curbs.

Beijing says talk of imbalances is protectionism designed to pressure China. It has opposed import quotas.

China's hybrid car exports to the EU jumped from about 3,800 in October 2024 to roughly 50,000 in July 2026, adding to the pressure on European carmakers.