Illustration: Liu Rui/GT

 As European states navigate the current chaotic period against the backdrop of the global trade war initiated by the US, the trajectory of the EU's relationship with China is worth watching.

Recently, there have been intensive interactions between China and the EU as well as its member states. Chinese Premier Li Qiang held a phone call with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez will visit China from Thursday to Friday. Earlier this week, Speaker of the Finnish parliament Jussi Halla-aho also visited China and in late March, Vice-President of the European Commission and Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šefčovič made a visit to China. During Sánchez's visit to Vietnam on Wednesday, prior to his trip to China, he called on the EU to review its relationship with China. 

These efforts by the EU and its member states to strengthen engagement with China amid the global tariff storm have sent a positive signal. During the phone call between Li and von der Leyen, the latter said that it is crucial for EU-China relations to maintain continuity and stability under current circumstances. European media have noted that even before the conversation, von der Leyen had signaled a more balanced approach toward China, suggesting room for constructive engagement and potential trade expansion.    

He Zhigao, a research fellow with the Institute of European Studies from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Wednesday that von der Leyen's attitude toward China is somewhat a result of the EU's reassessment of its China relations following the weakening of Europe-US security ties and the values-based alliance due to the policies adopted by the US current administration. He also noted that the EU still shows a somewhat hesitant mind-set in dealing with China. 

This can be seen from a recent debate among EU member states - while some advocate for easier trade with China, others express concerns over the prospect of Chinese imports as an indirect consequence of US tariffs.  

Amid this fast-changing situation, Europe needs to have a cool mind and adopt a constructive approach toward China. Typical US rhetoric portrays China as a common rival to both the US and Europe, ultimately serving the interests of the US while positioning Europe as merely a stepping stone in Washington's China containment strategy. Unwarranted fears of China will not help Europe address the dilemmas it faces, especially when the US is turning the screws on the whole world. 

The joint support for open trade and globalization by China and Europe is particularly vital as the US abuse of tariffs is causing severe disruptions to the global trade order. "There is no direct clash of interest between China and Europe at the strategic and security level. Both are advocates for multilateralism and global governance. Cooperation between China and Europe now carries more weight and will be of greater value," Xin Hua, director of the Center for European Union Studies at Shanghai International Studies University, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

As Premier Li noted during his phone call with the European Commission president, this year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and the EU, and the development of bilateral relations faces important opportunities. 

China and the EU have gone through challenges, while common interests drive their relationship forward and make it more resilient. Cooperation between the two will contribute to a fairer and more just world order.