The European Union has declined to hold a pre-summit trade dialogue with China in the coming month, citing a lack of progress in recent trade disputes. According to a senior EU official, the EU will only proceed with the dialogue if a mutually beneficial agreement is reached and implemented prior to the summit. This stance has been met with criticism from some quarters, who argue that trade talks are not always held in conjunction with summit meetings and can be held at any time. The decision is seen as a reflection of the EU's growing concerns over China's trade practices and its willingness to take a firmer stance in negotiations. The EU's position is also being viewed as a test of China's commitment to reforming its trade policies and opening up its markets to European businesses. The outcome of the summit and the subsequent trade talks will have significant implications for the EU-China relationship and the global trade landscape. As the world's two largest economies continue to navigate their complex and often contentious relationship, the stakes are high, and the consequences of failure could be far-reaching.