China criticizes reported EU trade tool as protectionist and unilateral
China criticizes reported EU trade tool as protectionist and unilateral. China's Ministry of Commerce responded to reports that several European Union member states were preparing a joint document urging the European Commission to accelerate the development of a so-called European “301” tool and adopt tougher measures toward China.
A ministry spokesperson said the reported tool, in China's view, would not resolve existing problems and could ultimately have negative consequences for the EU itself. Beijing also argued that such a measure could disrupt China-EU trade and the stability of global industrial and supply chains.
The spokesperson noted that the European Union is an important member of the World Trade Organization and has long presented itself as a supporter of the multilateral trading system. According to the Chinese side, measures that violate WTO rules could undermine the rules-based international trading system.
China and the EU are currently continuing dialogue under their trade and investment consultation mechanism and are discussing ways to address each other's economic and trade concerns.
The Chinese spokesperson said that conducting consultations while simultaneously increasing pressure on China could, in Beijing's view, damage mutual trust and interfere with the broader negotiating process.
China called on the European Union to continue managing differences through dialogue and consultation. The Ministry of Commerce also said it would closely follow the EU's next steps and would respond if discriminatory or restrictive measures targeting Chinese companies or products were introduced.
According to CCTV+, China's statement came as trade and investment consultations between China and the European Union continue. Further developments will depend on what measures the EU ultimately considers and whether the two sides can address their differences through the existing dialogue mechanisms.
