Poland refuses to reopen border with Belarus, halting €25B/year trade with China

Poland has refused to reopen its border with Belarus, effectively cutting off a vital trade route with China valued at €25 billion per year. Approximately 90% of rail freight between China and the European Union passes through Poland, which is currently halted due to ongoing military exercises known as Zapad-2025 and a recent Russian drone incursion.

Beijing has requested that Warsaw restore the trade route, which is crucial for e-commerce platforms such as Temu and Shein. However, after three hours of discussions, Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski confirmed that the border would remain closed.

As a result of the border closure, European e-commerce supply chains face potential disruptions. Alternative sea routes are slower, and air transport costs have increased by up to 30%. This situation poses significant challenges for the movement of goods between China and Europe.

This development comes amid heightened tensions in the region and reflects ongoing geopolitical complexities affecting trade.