China ready for a 'comprehensive framework' for trade with EU, says Taoiseach

Taoiseach Micheál Martin, third right, speaks during the bilateral meeting with Chinese president Xi Jinping. Picture: AP Photo/Andy Wong

China's president has suggested a more "comprehensive framework" in trading with the European Union, according to Taoiseach Micheál Martin, who met with Xi Jinping on Monday.

Talks on a comprehensive financial deal stalled in 2021, and China recently hit the EU with 42.7% of provisional tariffs on dairy products, including milk and cheese imported from the bloc.

That move was based on preliminary results from an investigation opened by China’s commerce ministry in August 2024, which reviewed subsidies provided by EU countries for their dairy and other farm products.

It was launched as part of tit-for-tat measures as the EU investigated Chinese subsidies on electric vehicles, and later imposed tariffs as high as 45.3% on Chinese-made EVs.

However, speaking after meeting the Chinese president in Beijing on Monday, the Taoiseach said Mr Xi had suggested a more comprehensive trade agreement. 

Mr Martin also said Mr Xi had committed to "looking at" beef tariffs, which have been increased to up to 55%.

Chinese President Xi Jinping during the bilateral meeting with Micheál Martin. Picture: AP Photo/Andy Wong

"The subject matter of our discussion really was, could we elevate this beyond the specifics and move it to a more comprehensive framework? 

"Now, that's obviously what the European Union would have to engage on. But I think that was what I took from our discussions today, that he very much was interested in looking at the larger picture and discussing all of these issues in that context. 

"Although he did undertake to look at the beef situation, and he made the point that the tariff issue on the dairy was an initial decision and that there could be further work done on that and that there was some specificities in terms of Irish companies, which, in terms of some companies operating here, could be inefficient."

Mr Martin had earlier said China's role in the world was "indispensable". Asked if he had any concerns about Ireland growing closer to China, he said he did not.

"In the modern world, engagement is still key, irrespective of the particular policy decisions or initiatives that are taken from time to time by individual countries. 

"So in other words, Ireland has always been internationalist. Since our independence, we've always sought to engage globally."

In our discussions this morning, President Xi was very clear on the importance of the UN and the need to reform the UN, the need for the UN to reclaim authority in the global stage. And that's something that Ireland subscribes to very, very strongly. 

"And so from that perspective, dialogue is key, and engagement with countries all over the world is key. We can never shrink back from that engagement.

"We export about 90% of what we produce all over the world, so we have to maintain relations and engage different countries, and that's what we've been doing consistently. 

Mr Martin added that he had raised human rights in his meeting with Mr Xi, but did not say if any specific issues had been discussed.