E-CKN Online Briefing: Taking Stock of China’s Relations with Washington and Moscow: Implications for Europe

The Xi–Trump summit brought a temporary stabilization to China–US relations without altering the underlying strategic rivalry. While both sides sought to avoid further escalation in tariffs and export controls, major disagreements over Taiwan, technology, and global security remain unresolved. 

The summit was followed within days by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Beijing, where he and Xi Jinping reaffirmed their strategic partnership and expanding economic ties. Together, these meetings highlighted China's efforts to balance relations with both Washington and Moscow amid growing geopolitical uncertainty. 

For Europe, even a period of relative China–US stability could bring new challenges, including increased trade pressure, intensified competition in strategic sectors, and continued vulnerabilities in critical supply chains. This briefing will assess what the summit reveals about the next phase of China–US relations, the role of the China–Russia partnership, and the implications for Europe's economic security and geopolitical position.

Speakers: 

• Jakub Jakóbowski, Deputy Director of the Centre for Eastern Studies (OSW) (moderator) 
• Patricia M. Kim, Ph.D. Senior Fellow, John L. Thornton China Center and the Center for Asia Policy Studies, The Brookings Institution 
• Eva Seiwert, Senior Analyst, The Mercator Institute for China Studies (MERICS) 
• Alexis von Sydow, Analyst, Swedish National China Centre (NKK) at UI

This event is by invitation only.