China Lifts Sanctions on EU Lawmakers Amid U.S. Trade War

China has lifted sanctions on five members of European Parliament to clear the way for trade talks between the two powers, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said on Wednesday.

China had imposed the sanctions in March 2024 against the European Union, Britain, Canada and the United States in response to sanctions they had coordinated against China for human rights abuses against Uyghurs in Xianjang.

• The five EU lawmakers were banned from entering Chinese territory, which caused the European Parliament to halt all official talks with China.

Those sanctions have now been lifted to allow for trade talks.

Our relationship with China remains complex and multifaceted. The best way to approach it is through engagement and dialogue.
—Roberta Metsola

Mending relationship: China and the EU have taken numerous steps to grow closer economically and politically in recent months as they seek ways to limit the damage of U.S. tariffs.

• In April, China urged Europe to unite against U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs.
• In March, China said it would work with Portugal to promote Chinese-European relations.
• In February, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU needs to deepen trade ties with China, after making similar statements the month before.

Prophesied alliance: Europe and China are showing increasing willingness to overcome their differences and ally economically. Bible prophecy shows that these two, along with other nations, will team up in a “mart of nations” to freeze the U.S. out of world trade.

To learn about this in more detail, read “Preparing to Storm America’s Castle.”