[…] In 2025, we celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of China and the EU. This year also marks 75 years since Sweden – as the first Western country – established diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China.
This twin anniversary presents an opportunity to take stock of the state of Swedish and European relations with China, and to assess where we go from here.
Both in the past and today, trade is at the heart of Sweden’s relations with China. […]
Overall, our trade relations have continued to expand, and today, China is our 9th largest trading partner for goods and services combined. More than 80,000 people are employed in Swedish firms in China, and China is an important investor in Sweden. […]
We are concerned about China’s increasing industrial overcapacity, which affects the long-term stability of global trade and polarises debate about economic openness. Countries and trade blocs around the world – including Brazil, Türkiye, the United States and the EU – have imposed defensive trade measures in response to this overcapacity.
As the strongest voice for free trade in the EU, Sweden is generally opposed to tariffs and other trade barriers. We believe in lowering trade and investment barriers, not raising them. […]
More than half of EU’s external trade is still governed by WTO rules rather than free trade agreements. We have a strong interest in seeing that WTO rules are supported in action, not just in words. […]
Sweden’s and the EU’s doors are always open for constructive talks. We need to find ways to address challenges in our economic relations with China, and we can only move forward on these issues through dialogue. […]
Sweden, the EU and NATO are critical of China’s enabling of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which has a direct negative impact on European security and a negative impact on China’s image in Europe. Läs talet