At China’s annual import fair, EU firms test Beijing’s promise to open up its markets

What happened: European firms are attending the China International Import Expo in Shanghai, China's biggest annual import fair, seeking new trade opportunities and treating the event as a test of Beijing's promise to open its markets. Why it matters: The attendance comes as frictions persist between Beijing and Brussels and the EU's deficit with China keeps widening. A French official said France wants to deepen trade with China under fair competitive conditions based on reciprocity and openness.

European firms are attending the China International Import Expo in Shanghai, China's biggest annual import fair, seeking new trade opportunities and treating the event as a test of Beijing's promise to open its markets.

The attendance comes as frictions persist between Beijing and Brussels and the EU's deficit with China keeps widening. A French official said France wants to deepen trade with China under fair competitive conditions based on reciprocity and openness.