A Ministry of Commerce spokesperson answered questions from reporters on media reports that relevant EU member states are pushing the European Commission to build a European version of the “301” tool

The Zhitong Finance App learned that on September 29, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce said in response to media reports that relevant EU member states are pushing the European Commission to build a European version of the “301” tool. Currently, China and Europe are continuing dialogue under the trade and investment consultation mechanism to discuss and resolve each other's concerns. If the European side talks and talks with China while increasing its strength towards China, it will seriously damage mutual trust, interfere with the overall process of negotiations, and affect the overall economic and trade cooperation between China and Europe. China urges the European side to stick to the correct path of managing differences through dialogue. The Chinese side will pay close attention to European developments. If the European side insists on introducing discriminatory restrictions on Chinese enterprises or products, China will definitely respond resolutely and defend the legitimate rights and interests of the Chinese industry.

The full text is as follows:

A Ministry of Commerce spokesperson answered questions from reporters on media reports that relevant EU member states are pushing the European Commission to build a European version of the “301” tool

Q: Recently, there have been media reports that some EU member states are preparing joint documents calling on the European Commission to speed up the formulation of the European version of the “301” tool and take tougher measures against China. What comments does the Chinese side have on this?

A: The Chinese side has taken note of the relevant reports. The tools mentioned in the report are typical protectionist and unilateralist measures. Not only will they not help solve the problem, but they will also reverse itself, and will also disrupt trade between China and Europe and the stability of the global production and supply chain. The EU has also been a victim of such tools; don't do to others what it does not want to do to them. As an important member of the WTO, the EU has always flaunted itself as a defender of multilateralism. If it fails to lead by example and instead takes the lead in violating WTO rules, it will surely seriously impact the rules-based multilateral trading system.

Currently, China and Europe are continuing to engage in dialogue under the trade and investment consultation mechanism to discuss and resolve each other's concerns. If the European side talks and talks with China while increasing its strength towards China, it will seriously damage mutual trust, interfere with the overall process of negotiations, and affect the overall economic and trade cooperation between China and Europe.

China urges the European side to stick to the correct path of managing differences through dialogue. The Chinese side will pay close attention to European developments. If the European side insists on introducing discriminatory restrictions on Chinese enterprises or products, China will definitely respond resolutely and defend the legitimate rights and interests of the Chinese industry.

This article was selected from the “Ministry of Commerce Official Website”; Zhitong Finance Editor: Huang Xiaodong.