On the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly, Chinese Premier Li Qiang and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen met in New York on 24 September 2025, stressing the need for cooperation as both face pressure from U.S. tariffs.
Von der Leyen said she raised Europe’s concerns over export controls, market access, and industrial overcapacity, while welcoming China’s readiness for dialogue.
Both leaders agreed that stronger trust between the world’s second- and third-largest economies is vital for their relations and global growth. Recent U.S. trade policies have further pushed Beijing and Brussels toward closer cooperation.
