EU’s €1bn-a-day trade gap with China an 'unsustainable reality', says EU Parliament VP

Updated: 24/07/2026 - 9:15 GMT+2 Javi López, European Parliament vice-president, says the European Union's trade imbalance with China "cannot continue", with the bloc running a €1bn-a-day trade deficit. After travelling to China this week to help thaw an eight-year stalemate, López (S&D, Spain) calls for the EU to "relaunch" its relationship with Beijing. He believes dialogue, rather than defensiveness, is key to rebuilding ties with the Chinese government. ADVERTISEMENT ADVERTISEMENT The Spanish MEP says solutions should be found "through dialogue and cooperation", rather than by triggering the EU's trade bazooka, as he expects the European Commission's mediation efforts to begin easing tensions.