Top European Union leaders are planning a major diplomatic trip to Beijing in late July for a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. According to South China Morning Post, this will mark the second EU-China summit in Beijing in a row, breaking the usual rotation rule—because this time, Xi isn’t coming to Brussels.
European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are ready to pack their bags for China, just to get some face time with Xi.
This trip isn't just about protocol—it’s about power realignment. With Donald Trump back in the White House, EU-US ties have taken a nosedive. Trump has slapped tariffs on EU goods and pulled a dramatic U-turn on Ukraine, making Europe question Washington’s loyalty.
In the backdrop of an increasingly aggressive US-China rivalry, the EU seems to be exploring a "reset" with Beijing, a move that could have major business and geopolitical consequences.
Trade, tech, tariffs, and the future of EU foreign policy are all in play.
While the Chinese side hasn’t confirmed any dates yet, the willingness of EU leaders to go to Beijing shows that Europe is playing long ball, trying to navigate a world where traditional alliances can no longer be taken for granted.
Whether this trip leads to better economic ties, de-escalates global tensions, or creates new friction points—one thing’s certain: this is not business as usual.
