China promises “firm” response if EU adopts new trade restrictions

The ministry thus reacted to information according to which several EU Member States will be preparing a joint document to ask the European Commission to speed up the creation of an instrument similar to Section 301 of the United States Trade Act and adopt tougher measures against Chinese trade.

In a statement released on Tuesday night, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Trade said that the possible instrument is a “typically protectionist and unilateral” measure, which “not only does not help solve the problems, but will eventually turn against the European Union itself”.

“The EU has also been the victim of this type of instrument: do not do to others what you do not want to be done to you,” said the spokesman, adding that the initiative could disrupt the stability of trade between China and Europe and the world’s industrial and supply chains.

According to Beijing, if Brussels maintains the dialogue with China at the same time as it “intensifies the demonstrations of strength” against the country, it could seriously undermine mutual trust, interfere with consultations between the two parties and “affect all economic and trade cooperation”.

“China urges the European side to remain on the right path to managing differences through dialogue,” he said.

“If the European party insists on introducing discriminatory restrictive measures against Chinese companies or products, China will undoubtedly respond firmly to defend the legitimate rights and interests of its industries,” he added.

The official Global Times related the reaction to a recent article by Noah Barkin, Senior Adviser for relations between China and Europe, by consultant Rhodium Group, that Germany and France would be finalising a joint document to urge the European Commission to speed up the development of an instrument that gives Brussels new powers to restrict China's access to the Community market.

Beijing's response comes before the visit to the Chinese capital of European Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic, scheduled for October 8-9, during which he will discuss with Chinese officials the state of bilateral economic and trade relations.

Sefcovic said last week that Brussels intends to “rebalance” trade with Beijing, addressing the future of Chinese exports to the EU and European companies’ access to the Chinese market.