After Donald Trump’s return to the White House, there were great hopes that Beijing and Brussels relations could have been normalized. This year’s EU-China Summit, which marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relationships, aimed to reflect exactly that. Six months later, their relationships have arrived In a new nadir.

European and Chinese leaders will meet in Beijing on Thursday in view of the session with the expectations that the meeting will evolve into something good to be lower than ever, according to Politico.

“The EU-China relationship has been increasingly tense in the last six to seven years and is not improving at all,” said Noah Barkin, a senior partner at Think Tank German Marshall Fund.

“The summit is likely to emphasize that both in terms of the economic relationship and in China’s support for Russia, very little progress between Brussels and Beijing has been made,” he added.

As she is trying to normalize her relations with Washington, the tone of European Commission President Ursula von der Laien to Beijing has become increasingly aggressive. In response, China warned against the conclusion of any transatlantic trade agreement that would hurt its interests.

A critical point, in addition to the long -term trade disputes, is the Russian war in Ukraine. And, just before the summit, the EU included two Chinese banks in its latest sanctions against Russia, leading Beijing to express its “intense dissatisfaction and its decisive opposition” to a step that described it as “scandalous”.

Despite the toughest tone, the Dutch MP of the European Parliament Bart Grutho still believes that “the EU is handling China very carefully”. The suppression of critical raw materials from China is a typical example, he told Politico, and demands a harsh answer: “You have to pay back with market access,” said Grutkouis, who is involved in the Parliament Committee.

However, there are other factors that make it difficult for the EU-Beijing relationship. Earlier this month, Beijing banned public orders of medical devices by European companies as retaliation for the imposition of Brussels rules for Chinese medical equipment. This is added to a prolonged dispute over the imposition of EU duties on Chinese electric vehicles last year and Beijing duties on European drinks as well.

The summit reflects how much Stretched are the relationships between the two economic superpowers. First, the Chinese President Si Jinping ignored von der Laien and the President of the European Council Antonio Costa Earlier this year, refusing the invitation to go to Brussels. Then the summit – which was originally scheduled to take two days – was shortened in just one day.

Now, von der Laienne and Costa are expected to meet with Si Jinping about a more general debate on EU-China relations in the morning, according to EU officials. Leaders will discuss geopolitical issues during lunch, while the meeting with Prime Minister Li.

As with previous summits, there will be no joint statement. The Chinese Foreign Ministry officially confirmed Si’s presence only on Monday.

Earlier this year, von der Layen had adopted an unusual reconciliation tone against Beijing, causing cautious hopes for a diplomatic reinstatement of their relationships. In a speech to the EU ambassadors in February, she said that the EU needs to “collaborate constructively with China”, adding that “we can find agreements that could even extend our commercial and investment ties”.

This attitude was welcomed by Beijing, which attempted to build links with Europe when Trump later increased duties to 145%. When China reacted by imposing strict controls on rare land exports, Europe was found in crossfire.

Although the EU’s trade leader, Maros Sefcovicnegotiated faster licensing procedures, Beijing refused to lift controls for EU companies – which continue to sound the alarm for critical industry supplies.

“Why don’t we get French in Europe if the goal is to get to the US?” Gruthus asked. Gallium is used in military applications and many other high -tech products. He said the Chinese authorities are asking EU companies seeking permission to buy French and other materials to intense questions: “How much French is used in which product? Who is your client? How many stocks do you have? They just map where they can push us in the future. “

Grutkoussis, a member of Renew, invited the EU to the parliament to “push its own measures” in terms of market access, visas, immigration issues and public contracts.

“China has little incentives to offer anything to the EU beyond the usual easy victories by making little effort,” said Francesca Greti, Director of the China-Europe Initiative at Think Tank Rand.

“Beijing believes it is in a position of power, having secured a temporary ceasefire with the US faster and easily than expected, while the EU remains involved in difficult negotiations.”

Before heading to Beijing, von der Layen and Costa will land in Tokyo for the official launch of an EU -Japan alliance that will closely link the industrial policy of the two economies in view of China’s surplus production capacity and the US duties – a brand.