Diplomats from Europe and China clashed at a Beijing conference over escalating trade issues, with accusations of dismissal of complaints and protectionist policies potentially leading to a trade war.

Sparks flew in a Beijing conference room this week, as diplomats, officials and experts from Europe and China clashed over their deepening trade problems. Chinese speakers were accused of dismissing Europe’s long-standing complaints and ignoring the harsh economic reality of an increasingly lopsided trading relationship. EU diplomats were accused of “bullying”, while the bloc’s policies were billed as “protectionist” efforts to decouple from China. At the acrimonious event hosted by the European...