An EU-China pact on AI? Regulation and suspicion will get in the way

What happened: EU and Chinese officials held a second round of trade talks in Beijing, with China's commerce ministry citing cooperation potential in AI, new energy, services trade, the digital economy and green low-carbon fields. Key numbers: Talks lasted two days. Why it matters: EU leaders saw the talks as a successful first step, though the EU has viewed China as a competitor and threat on AI and digital technology. China agreed to reduce EV exports and guarantee continued rare earth access without new export controls.

EU and Chinese officials held a second round of trade talks in Beijing, with China's commerce ministry citing cooperation potential in AI, new energy, services trade, the digital economy and green low-carbon fields.

EU leaders saw the talks as a successful first step, though the EU has viewed China as a competitor and threat on AI and digital technology. China agreed to reduce EV exports and guarantee continued rare earth access without new export controls.