The European Union is bracing for a confrontation with China as surging exports and massive subsidies fuel economic anxiety across the bloc. With a trade deficit exceeding $1 billion a day, European leaders fear mounting job losses and growing pressure on core industrial sectors.

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In a bid to address the imbalance, the European Commission’s top trade envoy, Maros Sefcovic, arrived in Beijing on Thursday for a two‑day meeting with Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao. The talks aim to narrow the EU’s staggering €360 billion ($410 billion) trade deficit with China.

Earlier this year, Sefcovic had set an October deadline for Beijing to deliver “meaningful results” in reducing the deficit. The visit underscores Europe’s urgency in seeking fairer trade terms, as politicians and economists warn that China’s aggressive export strategy and state subsidies pose a direct threat to Europe’s manufacturing base.

The meetings are expected to cover sensitive issues including industrial subsidies, market access, and reciprocal trade practices. Analysts say the outcome could shape the EU’s broader strategy toward China, balancing economic cooperation with growing calls for protectionist measures.

For Europe, the envoy’s mission represents both a diplomatic challenge and a test of unity as the bloc seeks to safeguard jobs and industries while maintaining its second‑largest trading relationship.