The Future of EU-China Relations in 2026

Please register by emailing tumarov@youngchinawatchers.com with your full name and affiliation.

As we move further into 2026, the European Union finds itself in a defining chapter of its relationship with China. The EU's longstanding tripartite approach—viewing China as a partner, competitor, and systemic rival—has leaned increasingly toward the latter in recent years. Ongoing shifts in global security, particularly the Trump administration's new direction in American foreign policy and China’s continued alignment with Russia, have forced Brussels to rethink its strategy toward Beijing. However, the costs of these policy adjustments are becoming clearer; the EU’s quest for strategic autonomy is being tested by domestic pressures and external demands from both allies and competitors.

The core challenge remains: how can Europe maintain a unified front when national interests vary so significantly across the bloc? In this emerging geopolitical landscape, the EU must decide whether to double down on defensive economic tools or seek a new, pragmatic status quo that balances security with continued engagement.

Join Young China Watchers Berlin for an in-depth discussion on the trajectory of EU-China relations. We will analyze the impact of recent summits, the effectiveness of European de-risking strategies, and the security implications of China’s expanding influence in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

This event is part of a joint mentorship program between Young China Watchers (YCW) and the Berlin Contemporary China Network (BCCN).

Angela Stanzel is a Senior Policy Fellow at the Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP), where she conducts research on China, Taiwan, South Asia, Afghanistan, foreign policy, and security policy. She joined SWP in 2020 and holds a doctorate in Chinese studies. In previous years, she worked for the Asia Program at the German Marshall Fund (GMF), as Conference Manager for International Politics at the Körber Foundation, and as Senior Policy Fellow in the Asia Program at the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) think tank. In 2018 and 2019, she was Senior Policy Fellow in the Asia Program at the Institut Montaigne and the institute's representative in Germany.