China–EU Trade Relationship at a Crossroads and Lessons for Canada
About this Event
A Seminar with Dr. Bo Chen | Seminar 1 of 2 : The China Economy Seminar Series
Event Overview
The Jack Austin Centre for Asia Pacific Business Studies at SFU's Beedie School of Business is pleased to host the first of a two-part seminar series featuring Dr. Bo Chen, Senior Research Fellow and Head of the Economic Cluster at the East Asian Institute, National University of Singapore, and a Distinguished Fellow at the Jack Austin Centre.
China–EU trade is too large to collapse and too imbalanced to continue unchanged. This presentation asks how both sides can manage their trade relationship without sliding into a trade war.
As global trade relationships shift and geopolitical uncertainty grows, Canadian businesses and policymakers are being asked to rethink how they approach China.
The Seminar Will Cover
- The scale and mutual importance of bilateral trade: Why China remains a key supplier and market for Europe while the EU remains an important destination for Chinese exports.
- The main disputes behind current tensions: Europe's concerns over overcapacity, subsidies, unfair competition and job losses; China's argument that technological upgrading and cost competitiveness explain its export strength; and the clash between EU "de-risking" and Chinese claims of discrimination.
- Practical ways to reduce the trade imbalance: Market access, reciprocal openness, targeted trade remedies, green-industrial cooperation and stronger WTO-based dialogue.
- What this means for Canada: Where the same controversies apply to the Canada–China trade relationship, and what Canada should do accordingly.
Registration Details
- Location: Room 2800, Segal Building, 500 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC, V6C 1W6
- Admission: Free | Light Lunch will be provided
- Registration: Registration closes on September 8, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. PDT
About the Speaker
Dr. Bo Chen
Senior Research Fellow and Head of the Economic Cluster, East Asian Institute, National University of Singapore
Bo Chen (PhD, Simon Fraser University) is a Senior Research Fellow and Head of the Economic Cluster at the East Asian Institute (EAI), National University of Singapore (NUS). His research at EAI focuses on international trade policies, China’s economy and its economic and policy impacts on Southeast Asia, particularly Singapore, as well as on the global economy. He regularly provides policy briefings to the Singapore government on trade related issues, developments in China’s economy and regional economic dynamics.
He is a Research Associate at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, and a Distinguished Fellow at the Jack Austin Centre. He previously served as a Distinguished Professor at Huazhong University of Science and Technology (China). He has published over 30 peer-reviewed articles in leading economics journals, including Journal of International Economics, Journal of Comparative Economics, Economics Letters, and The World Economy.
About the Organizers
The Jack Austin Centre for Asia Pacific Business Studies at SFU's Beedie School of Business fosters greater understanding between Canada and the Asia-Pacific region through education, research, and dialogue. Led by Dr. Jing Li, Professor of International Business and Director of the Centre, it serves as a hub for collaboration among academia, government, and industry, and leads initiatives such as the LINC Asia Micro-credential Program
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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