Abstract Two of the most significant economic powers in the world, the European Union and China, foster one of the most substantial and influential trade relationships worldwide whilst also facing a complex trade relationship amongst themselves. These conflicts come from trade imbalances, regulation differences, issues with intellectual property rights, and geopolitical tensions. The article explores the reasons for these disputes and their impact from an economic, political, and strategic point of view. It focuses on China’s state-supported subsidies, limited market access, and perceived unfair trade practices by explaining them and providing an overview of how they have been used in the last few years and why the European Union is concerned. It also presents China’s global goals and its export-driven economy. Furthermore, the article considers the effects of trade defense tools such as anti-dumping tariffs and evaluates how well current dispute resolution methods function, including World Trade Organization frameworks and bilateral talks. The results show the need for solutions that will be fair and beneficial for both parties. By identifying the key challenges that these issues bring and offering policy recommendations, this research aims to help the ongoing discussion about the European Union-China economic relations and their role in the global trade system.
Pahontu et al. (2025) studied this question.