Xi and Irish premier Martin hold Beijing talks on China-EU trade ties
Chinese President Xi Jinping met Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin in Beijing to discuss expanding bilateral economic cooperation and the future of China-EU relations. The talks focused on trade openness, multilateralism and strategic dialogue, as Martin began a rare official visit amid rising trade tensions between Beijing and Brussels.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin met in Beijing on Monday for high-level talks centered on economic cooperation and China-EU relations, highlighting trade, multilateralism and long-term strategic engagement. The meeting took place as Martin launched a five-day official visit to China, the first by an Irish prime minister in 14 years, at a time of growing strain between Beijing and the European Union.
Focus on economic cooperation and mutual trust
During the meeting, Xi emphasized that the steady development of China-Ireland relations has been shaped by “mutual respect, equality and shared benefit,” calling for these principles to be preserved and strengthened. According to China’s Foreign Ministry, Xi said Beijing is ready to deepen strategic communication, enhance political trust and expand practical cooperation with Dublin across multiple sectors.
Trade openness and Ireland’s EU role
Martin underlined Ireland’s commitment to open markets and stronger trade links with China, describing economic engagement as beneficial to both sides. China is Ireland’s largest trading partner in Asia, with annual trade volumes estimated at around $42 billion, ranking fifth globally for the Irish economy. Chinese officials also pointed to Ireland’s upcoming rotating presidency of the EU Council, expressing hope that Dublin would play a constructive role in shaping China-EU dialogue.
China-EU relations amid rising tensions
Both leaders reaffirmed support for multilateralism and the authority of the United Nations, stressing cooperation on global governance and international fairness. Xi noted that China and the European Union should approach differences “objectively and rationally” while prioritizing mutually beneficial cooperation. Martin’s visit comes as China and the EU face renewed trade disputes, including recent Chinese tariffs affecting European dairy products and electric vehicles, adding pressure to bilateral economic ties.
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