The negotiation of EU–China comprehensive agreement on investment and its potential impact in the post-pandemic era

ABSTRACT The negotiation of the Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI) between the EU and China has convened over 34 rounds in the last seven years. The CAI, when finally established, will constitute a historical first, unprecedented in being the most detailed and important agreement between the EU and China ever. It is expected that both parties will bring negotiations to a close with the signing of the agreement either by the end of 2020 or not long thereafter. This paper presents an overview of these negotiations, with an assessment of its potential impact on bilateral investment and economic cooperation between the two parties. Consequentially, the further elimination of investment and trade barriers between China and Europe should lead to the steady recovery and growth of the global economy in the post-pandemic era.