In light of Washington’s erratic trade and tariff decisions, Beijing currently appears to be the more reliable partner for the European Union. However, current trade data shows that the relationship remains complicated, and China’s trade surplus and overcapacity are not abating. In January and February 2025, China’s trade surplus grew by 36 percent compared to the same period last year. In the last twelve months, the surplus reached a record value of just over one trillion US dollars, the highest twelve-month figure ever.