Trade continues to be the least problematic aspect of the EU-China economic relationship. The BRI offers potential trade gains for Europe by improving physical connectivity with countries along the route to China, but it also poses challenges for the EU. While Chinese investment in Europe is growing and has focused strongly on technology, it raises the question of whether the EU should fear losing its technological edge, especially when Chinese state-owned companies might distort competition through foreign acquisitions.

In 2020, China became the main trading partner of Germany and the EU. The German economy is the strongest in Europe, and China is the driver of global economic growth. Therefore, the ties between Germany and China are of particular importance for the development of the Eurasian railway route.