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.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a disastrous impact on the global transport sector with all the modes of transport, primarily air and maritime ones, experiencing a strong deterioration in activity at the global level. However, some markets, for instance rail freight between China and Europe, are benefiting from the situation. The report by COFACE credit insurance company titled «Global Transport: What does the future hold beyond COVID-19?» analyzes the current state of the global transport sector suffering a heavy blow from the pandemic and presents three scenarios for the recovery of the sector.