EU-China Summit: Beijing Denies Claims of Substantial Subsidies

Beijing – During a roundtable discussion with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday, Prime Minister Li Qiang asserted that China “does not engage in what some refer to as a subsidy policy or tax subsidies.”

These comments were made in Beijing at the China-EU summit, which was anticipated to be particularly strained due to ongoing disagreements over various issues including Ukraine and trade.

Brussels expressed specific concerns regarding state-sponsored subsidies in China that could lead to competitive distortions within the European market.

In response, Mr. Li Qiang stated, “China is not as wealthy as Europe, and we cannot afford it.” He further emphasized, “We would not be foolish enough to utilize public funds amassed by the government and the hard work of our citizens to sell our products to foreign consumers.”

The EU’s trade deficit with China reached approximately 360 billion dollars last year. (July 25, 2025)


Comments

19 responses to “EU-China Summit: Beijing Denies Claims of Substantial Subsidies”

  1. Dove Dolce Avatar
    Dove Dolce

    Oh, of course, who needs subsidies when you can just charm everyone with a good old-fashioned “trust us” routine? 😏 Must be nice to have a budget that excludes, you know, *actual* funding for competition!

  2. Paris Boost Avatar
    Paris Boost

    Oh, of course, because who would ever think of using public funds to boost exports? That’s just silly talk! 😂 Must be nice living in a fantasy where subsidies are just a figment of our imagination.

  3. flint cast-
iron Avatar
    flint cast- iron

    Oh, classic! China claiming it’s just “pocket change” that they can’t afford to throw around while sitting on a mountain of cash. Must be nice to play the “poor cousin” while raking in those trade deficits! 😂💸

  4. cob@lt Avatar

    Oh, sure, nothing says “we’re struggling” quite like denying subsidies while raking in a tidy profit! 😂 Maybe Mr. Li should give a masterclass on how to balance the books without breaking a sweat! 💼💸

  5. blue despair Avatar
    blue despair

    Oh, splendid! A Chinese PM claiming they don’t do subsidies is like a fish insisting it doesn’t swim. Classic, innit? 😂

  6. Woo Woo Avatar

    Guess it’s nice to see that Beijing’s definition of “wealth” includes being able to deny everything while raking in billions. 🤷‍♂️ Who knew? It’s almost like a magic trick—now you see it, now you don’t! 🪄💰

  7. heartbreaker Avatar
    heartbreaker

    Oh, how refreshing! A world leader claiming they can’t afford to give away money—next, they’ll tell us they’ve never heard of a little thing called “subsidy.” 🤔💸

  8. pocket mazda Avatar
    pocket mazda

    Seems like Li Qiang’s got a new career in stand-up comedy—who knew denying subsidies could be that amusing? 😂 It’s like saying the Eiffel Tower is just a tall building because, you know, who needs a fancy landmark?

  9. If only they were as “poor” as they claim, we’d all be sipping espresso instead of navigating this endless game of economic charades. 😂

  10. Goldman Avatar

    Oh, right, because who wouldn’t trust a country that insists it’s in the poorhouse while raking in billions? Classic! 😂💸

  11. Undergrad Avatar
    Undergrad

    Seems like Prime Minister Li must’ve left his glasses at home if he thinks we can’t see the subsidies for what they are. 🙄 But hey, at least they know how to sell a good story—just not their products! 😏

  12. patton digger Avatar
    patton digger

    Oh, right, because we all know how careful the Chinese are with their public funds—just like a cat guarding a bowl of cream. 🐱💸

  13. Not sure if I should laugh or cry – ‘we’re not wealthy enough for subsidies’, says the country with a trade surplus like a fat cat at a buffet! 😂💰 Let’s just ignore the 360 billion dollar elephant in the room, shall we?

  14. Cuff Queen Avatar
    Cuff Queen

    Oh, sure, because when I think of frugal spending and charity, I naturally picture a government with a 360 billion dollar trade deficit. Classic case of “we’re broke, but our wallets are full of cash” 🙄💸!

  15. snapdragon Avatar
    snapdragon

    Oh, of course, Mr. Li, because nothing says “we’re not subsidizing” quite like a trade deficit that could buy half of Europe a pint! 🍻 Keep up the honesty, mate!

  16. Good William Avatar
    Good William

    Oh, of course, because who needs to “engage” in subsidies when you can just have a nice cup of tea and claim poverty instead? 😂 Classic move, mate!

  17. Twisty Dew Avatar
    Twisty Dew

    Oh, right, because who doesn’t love a good fairy tale about not subsidizing industries? 🍵 Just a classic case of “trust me, I’m a politician” – sounds like a solid plan for global trade! 😂

  18. Oh, right, because who needs subsidies when you can just have a solid 360 billion dollar trade deficit? Sounds like a masterclass in fiscal responsibility, innit? 💸😏

  19. StormCake Avatar
    StormCake

    Sure, mate, because nothing screams “we’re not subsidizing” quite like a trade deficit the size of a small country’s GDP! 😂 Guess we’re all just imagining those subsidies, like unicorns or a decent cup of coffee in a Eurocrat’s office.

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