June 30, 2026 - The Ministry of Commerce of China released official news that the first ministerial-level meeting of the China-EU Trade and Investment Consultation Mechanism was successfully concluded in Brussels on June 29. Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič attended and issued a joint statement.
The two sides clarified the core positioning of the new consultation mechanism: to build a regular high-level dialogue platform to balance bilateral trade relations, eliminate information asymmetry, and jointly control trade frictions that impact cross-border logistics and cargo circulation. Four core working groups will be set up, covering trade balance, export control, intellectual property protection and WTO reform.
To improve supply chain transparency, China and the EU reached an agreement to launch a joint cargo data monitoring system. The system will share real-time cross-border shipping, customs clearance and import and export statistics, helping freight forwarders, manufacturers and cross-border e-commerce brands predict policy changes, avoid customs detention and shipping delays, and reduce extra logistics costs.
Both sides emphasized the importance of smooth cross-border logistics channels. They agreed to deepen communication on customs clearance facilitation, low-carbon shipping standards and EU parcel tax policies taking effect on July 1. The two parties will launch targeted convenience measures for compliant export enterprises to lower the threshold of customs declaration and cut transit waiting time at border ports.
The meeting confirmed the next round of ministerial consultations will be held in autumn 2026. Logistics industry analysts said the new dialogue mechanism will effectively ease uncertainties on China-Europe rail, sea and air freight routes, bring more stable policy expectations to global foreign trade enterprises, and promote the sustainable development of Eurasian cross-border logistics.
