EU ambassadors discuss China trade before the Beijing talks (Coreper II)
Why it matters
The member states’ ambassadors to the EU (Coreper II) hold an exchange of views on EU-China trade relations two days before Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič meets China’s commerce minister in Beijing. It is the last point at which governments can tell the Commission what they would accept as a result. The item is in restricted format: fewer officials in the room, and electronic devices left outside.
What to watch
- Nothing is decided or published at this meeting. What becomes known will come from press reports of what ambassadors said.
- Whether member states give the Commission one line for Beijing, or split between those who want a deal and those who want tougher trade measures.
- Any sign of what the EU would count as a result on Chinese exports, access to the Chinese market and rare earths.
Sources
- Council: Coreper II, 6 October 2026
- Council: Coreper II provisional agenda, 6, 7 and 11 October 2026 (13654/26)
- Finbarr Bermingham on Bluesky: two weeks of EU-China dates (5 October 2026)
Open in the calendar
Open this event in the live GeoVeu calendar, alongside everything scheduled around it.