EU-China Summit Yields Modest Progress on Trade and Russia Concerns
• EU leaders felt China took their concerns more seriously this time, though core issues remain unresolved
• Xi told EU leaders China sees Europe as its own "pole", not a "vassal" beholden to the U.S.
• China agreed to work through trade issues in technical groups, but no expectation of structural economic changes
• On Russia, Xi said he was "attentive" to EU's complaint about China enabling sanctions evasion
• While the summit likely won't alter the downward trajectory in ties, EU sees value in keeping communication open