As EU mulls economic tools, China vows to take steps against any new trade restrictions
While warning of retaliation against ‘new trade instruments’, Beijing says China-EU communication channels remain open
China has renewed warnings to the European Union that it will retaliate against any new trade restrictions imposed by Brussels.
“If the EU insists on unilaterally introducing new trade instruments and imposing discriminatory restrictions, China will resolutely retaliate and take effective measures to safeguard its own interests,” the Ministry of Commerce said in a statement on Saturday.
The ministry said communication channels between China and the EU were open, and both sides sought to conduct relevant dialogues.
It also announced that China and the EU were exploring the establishment of a trade and investment consultation mechanism, but offered no details of the plan.
No immediate measures have been announced, but the EU is expected to ramp up safeguards in sectors that are under severe pressure from Chinese overcapacity.