Chinese Commerce Ministry Urges EU Dialogue Amid Trade Frictions
Beijing, The Gulf Observer: The Chinese Commerce Ministry has called for China and the European Union (EU) to address economic and trade disputes through constructive dialogue and consultation, emphasizing the importance of win-win cooperation and welcoming healthy competition.
Efforts should be directed towards accommodating the legitimate concerns of both sides and preventing the escalation of trade tensions, the ministry stated. In this regard, symposiums have been organized with Chinese-funded enterprises and business associations in countries such as Spain, Portugal, and Greece. During these sessions, several business representatives voiced concerns about the EU’s continuous suppression of Chinese enterprises under the pretext of fair competition.
Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao refuted the accusations of “unfair competition” against China as baseless, asserting that fair competition is a global consensus and a cornerstone of international exchange, not something to be defined by a select few countries.
“True fair competition means striving to improve oneself, rather than tripping up others. It should be open, cooperative, equal, and mutually beneficial, rather than exclusive. It also means adhering to internationally agreed-upon rules, rather than altering them arbitrarily,” Wang stated. He reiterated that while China advocates for win-win cooperation, it neither evades nor fears competition and welcomes healthy competition while opposing malicious attempts to contain and suppress.
Addressing concerns over the EU’s anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese electric vehicles, which has strained cooperation between Chinese auto companies and their European partners, Wang emphasized that the appropriate approach for both sides is to expand cooperation and achieve mutually beneficial outcomes amidst healthy competition. He made these remarks during a recent visit to a joint venture between China’s Chery Automobile and Spain’s Ebro-EV Motors in Barcelona, Spain.
Wang expressed his hope that the European side will abandon trade protectionism and return to the correct path of dialogue and cooperation. He also encouraged the enterprises involved in the joint venture to overcome their challenges and transform their collaboration into a significant project of economic and trade cooperation between China and Spain, as well as between China and Europe.
