China signals it will buy more European goods as Brussels hardens its trade stance

China has told the European Union it is willing to increase purchases of European goods to help narrow a large trade gap, a move that could reduce the risk of a trade conflict between two of the world's biggest economies. China's commerce minister, Wang Wentao, suggested Beijing is open to purchase agreements covering European products, the South China Morning Post reported.

The overture comes as Brussels toughens its position. The two sides established a trade and investment consultation mechanism, co-chaired by Wang and EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic, with working groups on trade balancing, export controls, intellectual property and reform of the World Trade Organization. Wang expressed particular interest in importing more from Europe.

The imbalance driving the talks is large. The EU's goods deficit with China widened to around 360 billion euros, or roughly 410 billion dollars, in 2025 and has continued rising in 2026, Al Jazeera reported, deepening European fears of deindustrialization. Brussels has issued new steel and e-commerce rules aimed at the gap.

For Beijing, easing tensions with Europe carries strategic value at a moment when its commercial relationship with the United States is breaking down. Offering to buy more European goods lets China keep the two Western blocs apart rather than confront them together.