Europe and China Approve Landmark Investment Treaty, Snubbing U.S.

A screen displays Chinese President Xi Jinping (top left). European Council President Charles Michel (top right), European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (bottom right), French President Emmanuel Macron (bottom center) and German Chancellor Angela Merkel during an EU-China Leaders’ meeting video conference at the European Council headquarters in Brussels, Dec. 30.

Johanna Geron / Pool via AP

China’s president and European leaders met Wednesday to mark their agreement on an investment deal between the European Union and China despite a request for talks on the issue by the incoming administration of President-elect Joe Biden.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron joined EU leaders Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel in a video conference to conclude negotiations over the deal, which removes a number of barriers to European companies’ investment in China.

After Wednesday’s video meeting, von der Leyen tweeted: “The EU has the largest single market in the world. We are open for business but we are attached to reciprocity, level playing field & values. Today, the EU & China concluded in principle negotiations on an investment agreement.”