China-EU trade ties ‘on hold’ ahead of Trump’s White House return: Spanish envoy

Speaking at Renmin University on Tuesday, Marta Betanzos Roig said that both China and the European Union had put forward tariffs bilaterally but “this is not the last word”.

“I believe that no outcome is to be reached until we see [president-elect] Trump in office,” she said. “We are all waiting to see what is going to be the implementation of all the announcements that he has made concerning tariffs.”

Roig made the remarks during a reflection on the diplomatic relationship between Spain and China, ahead of next year’s 20th anniversary of the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership.

Trump has already promised massive tariff increases on several countries, including China, and warned the EU member states that they will “pay a big price” if they do not buy enough American products.

Some analysts have suggested that Trump might push the EU to adopt a harder stance on Beijing, while others believe that he could impose tariffs on the bloc, a move that could bring Brussels and Beijing closer together.