Leaders to discuss Ukraine, global issues

At their summit in Brussels, EU leaders are expected to discuss new, tougher measures needed to curb the bloc’s growing trade deficit with China and its reliance on rare earths and other vital supplies from the country.

According to Reuters, EU diplomats say there is a gradual consensus among the EU’s 27 members that the goods trade deficit with China is problematic.

Losses now amount to around €1 billion ($1.15 billion) per day. The situation is more serious given that transatlantic tariffs are reducing access to the US market.

In 2025, China’s goods trade surplus with the EU will reach €360.6 billion, representing an increase of 15% from 2024.

Additionally, it increased by 10% in the first four months of this year, driven by increased sales to the EU and a decrease in imports by Chinese companies.

Welcome to DW’s coverage of the two-day summit of EU leaders in Brussels, which is expected to focus on support for Ukraine, the EU’s next long-term budget and global economic challenges.

The summit is expected to begin with a welcoming ceremony for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. It will be his first visit to Brussels since Viktor Orban, Hungary’s former prime minister and Zelensky’s most prominent rival within the EU, was voted out of office earlier this year.

On Thursday, EU leaders are expected to discuss some of the bloc’s most pressing challenges, including its declining competitiveness, as well as broader global issues such as its strained commercial relationship with China.

The next day, they plan to focus on the EU’s next long-term budget, which is expected to be between €1 trillion ($1.15 trillion) and €2 trillion and cover the period from 2028 to 2034.