Brussels News. A report recently released by Eurostat shows that in 2024, China for the first time became the largest source of imports for the European Union. This change reflects the profound adjustment of the global trade pattern. Data shows that the EUs imports from China reached 517.8 billion euros in 2024, highlighting Chinas key position in the global supply chain. At the same time, the EUs exports to China were 213.3 billion euros, with a trade deficit as high as 304.5 billion euros. This figure has drawn attention to the EUs trade balance.

In recent years, trade relations between China and the EU have become increasingly close. With its strong manufacturing capabilities and growing domestic market, China has become an important trading partner of the EU. However, the huge trade deficit has also triggered discussions within the EU on trade fairness and market access. Some economists point out that resolving the trade deficit problem requires the joint efforts of both sides, further opening up the market, optimizing the trade structure, strengthening technological cooperation, and achieving mutual benefit and win - win results.

At the same time, the General Administration of Customs of China issued an announcement, announcing the suspension of imports of American logs. The announcement pointed out that in the recently imported American logs, Chinas customs intercepted a variety of quarantine forest pests such as bark beetles and long - horned beetles. To protect Chinas agricultural and forestry production and ecological security, Chinas customs made the decision to suspend the import of American logs in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.

This move is regarded as an important measure for China to strengthen the inspection and quarantine of imported goods and safeguard national ecological security. In recent years, with the increasing frequency of international trade, the risk of invasion by alien harmful organisms has also been increasing. The Chinese government attaches great importance to the issue of biosecurity, continuously improves relevant laws and regulations, strengthens port inspection and quarantine efforts, and strictly guards against the invasion of alien harmful organisms.

In addition, the Ministry of Commerce of China issued an announcement, deciding to initiate an anti - circumvention investigation into certain optical fiber products originating from the United States. It is reported that this is the first time China has launched an anti - circumvention investigation procedure. The announcement pointed out that there are signs indicating that relevant American optical fiber products are suspected of circumventing Chinas current anti - dumping measures through certain means.

According to relevant Chinese laws and regulations, upon the application of the domestic industry, the Ministry of Commerce decided to launch this anti - circumvention investigation. The Ministry of Commerce will conduct a comprehensive investigation into the origin of the products involved, the export route, and the production and operation of relevant enterprises to determine whether there is circumvention behavior. Based on the investigation results, the Chinese government will decide whether to take corresponding anti - circumvention measures.

The launch of this anti - circumvention investigation is an important measure for China to maintain a fair trade environment and protect the legitimate rights and interests of domestic industries. Against the backdrop of the rise of global trade protectionism, China adheres to safeguarding the multilateral trading system, opposes trade protectionism, and is committed to building an open, fair, and non - discriminatory international trade environment.

Some trade experts said that the above - mentioned measures reflect Chinas role transformation and growing trade influence in global trade. China is not only the worlds largest trading country but also an important participant and rule - maker in global trade rules. China will continue to adhere to the principle of mutual benefit and win - win results, strengthen trade cooperation with countries around the world, and jointly promote the prosperity and development of the global economy. In the future, trade relations between major trading partners such as China - EU and China - US will continue to receive attention. Both sides need to seek a balance between cooperation and competition and jointly address global challenges.