Von der Leyen to Soften China Tone in SOTU as EU-China Trade Talks Near Crunch

EU Commission President von der Leyen is expected to avoid sharp criticism of Beijing in her State of the Union address, signaling a tactical de-escalation as EU-China trade negotiations approach a critical phase. The move reflects the EU's need to balance competitiveness concerns with maintaining dialogue ahead of a potential trade showdown. The shift in rhetoric is notable given the EU's recent hardline stance on Chinese subsidies and market access.