Trade ministers to discuss EU’s trade relations with United States and China

Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio will attend an extraordinary meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council, in its trade configuration, in Luxembourg on 7 April 2025. The meeting will focus on the EU’s trade relations with the United States and China.

The ministers will discuss the current EU trade relations with the United States and give orientation for future work.

Finland believes that the challenges of trade should be met by increasing cooperation and liberalising trade. The EU and the United States are close, long-term allies. Because of their closely interlinked production chains and investments, open trade benefits the economies of both countries.

“It is very unfortunate that the United States has increased its tariffs on imports. The tariffs will raise prices in the United States and increase trade costs between the EU and the United States. In times of geopolitical tensions and economic instability, solutions should be sought by negotiation,” Minister Ville Tavio says.

According to the Minister, the EU will protect consumers and business by introducing strong and proportionate countermeasures, where necessary.

European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šefčovič will brief the meeting about the current situation of the EU-China trade relations, after his visit to the country.

China is an important trading partner for the EU and Finland. In Finland’s view, we should continue to promote of a more balanced trade and economic relationship and a level playing field. At the same time, it is essential to take into account the EU’s objective to strengthen economic security and resilience and to reduce harmful dependencies.