Two of the world’s biggest polluters want to combat climate change — but neither wants to give an inch while doing it.

By Liz Lee and Xiuhao Chen BEIJING (Reuters) -China confirmed on Monday it will hold a top-level summit with the European Union in Beijing this week marking 50 years of diplomatic ties as both sides seek to navigate trade disputes amid broader global trade uncertainties.

"China has an influence on Russia, like the European Union has an influence on Ukraine," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.

The agreement between Donald Trump, the US President, and Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, on the introduction of a 15% customs tariff on almost all European products imported by the US (except for aluminum and steel for which the 50% tariffs remain in force),

Expectations were low for the summit in the Chinese capital marking 50 years of diplomatic ties between Beijing and Brussels after weeks of escalating tension.