EU overtakes US as China’s top source of trade disputes, new data shows

South China Morning PostCenter-RightEN 1 min read 100% complete by Mia NurmamatJanuary 29, 2026 at 11:00 AM

AI Summary

short article 1 min

A recent report by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) indicates that the European Union has become China's primary source of trade disputes, surpassing the United States. The November 2025 index, tracking 20 economies, revealed the EU's top ranking due to anti-subsidy and anti-dumping investigations, particularly concerning semiconductor materials, rare earth magnets, and liquid-crystal display products. Tensions escalated following Dutch government intervention in a Chinese-owned chipmaker and China's rare earth export restrictions. While "urgent" talks were held in Brussels in October, and China paused expanded rare earth export controls, the EU's introduction of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism in January adds another layer to the trade friction between the two economies.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism 40% Ministry of Commerce 40% Netherlands 40% Brussels ×250% Wang Wenshuai 50% Nexperia ×260% China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) ×270% United States ×270% European Union ×490% China ×490%

Keywords

trade disputes 100% european union 90% china 90% trade tensions 80% semiconductor materials 70% rare earth magnets 70% export controls 60% anti-subsidy 50% anti-dumping 50% carbon border adjustment mechanism 40%

Sentiment Analysis

Negative

Score: -0.30

Source Transparency

Source

South China Morning Post

Political Lean

Center-Right (0.50)

Far LeftCenterFar Right

Classification Confidence

90%

Geographic Perspective

China

This article was automatically classified using rule-based analysis. The political bias score ranges from -1 (far left) to +1 (far right).

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trade disputes european union china trade tensions semiconductor materials rare earth magnets export controls anti-subsidy anti-dumping carbon border adjustment mechanism

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