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China warns EU against adopting protectionist '301-style' trade tool
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In a statement published on the Chinese Commerce Ministry website, a spokesperson responded to media reports that some EU member states are drafting a joint document urging the European Commission to accelerate the creation of a European version of the U.S. '301' trade tool to take tougher measures against China. The spokesperson characterized such a tool as typical protectionist and unilateralist, arguing it would not solve problems, would backfire on the EU, and would disrupt China-EU trade and global supply chain stability. The spokesperson noted that the EU itself was once a victim of such tools, invoking the principle 'do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself.' The statement warned that if the EU, which claims to be a defender of multilateralism, violates WTO rules, it would severely impact the rules-based multilateral trading system. The spokesperson added that China and the EU are currently in dialogue under the trade and investment consultation mechanism, and that escalating pressure while negotiating would undermine trust and the consultation process. China urged the EU to resolve differences through dialogue and vowed to respond resolutely to any discriminatory restrictions against Chinese companies or products.
Source report
China's Response to EU's Proposed "301-style" Trade Tool
Q: Recent media reports indicate that some EU member states are drafting a joint document urging the European Commission to accelerate the development of a European version of the "301" tool, aiming to take tougher measures against China. What is China's comment on this?
A: China has taken note of the relevant reports. The tool mentioned in the reports is a typical protectionist and unilateral measure. It will not only fail to resolve the issues but also backfire on the EU itself, and further disrupt China-EU trade as well as the stability of global industrial and supply chains. The EU itself has been a victim of such tools in the past. Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself.
As a major member of the WTO, the EU has always touted itself as a defender of multilateralism. If it fails to lead by example and instead takes the lead in violating WTO rules, it will severely undermine the rules-based multilateral trading system.
Currently, China and the EU are continuing dialogue under the mechanism of trade and investment consultation to explore solutions to each other's concerns. If the EU, on one hand, engages in dialogue and consultation with China, and on the other hand, escalates its tough stance against China, it will severely damage mutual trust, disrupt the overall consultation process, and affect the broader China-EU economic and trade cooperation.
China urges the EU to adhere to the correct path of managing differences through dialogue. China will closely monitor the EU's subsequent actions. If the EU insists on introducing discriminatory restrictive measures against Chinese companies or products, China will resolutely respond to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese industries. (Source: Ministry of Commerce website)
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