The Trump-Xi summit poses a significant challenge for Europe, which risks being sidelined in US-China negotiations over trade and technology. European officials are concerned about their reliance on Chinese rare earths and the potential for a US-China deal to exacerbate their vulnerabilities. The EU's efforts to achieve economic independence from China are slow, and there are fears that a bilateral agreement could harm European industries, particularly in the electric vehicle sector. Brussels is preparing for potential fallout, emphasizing the need to defend European interests amidst growing tensions between the superpowers.