EU‑China alliance looks to fortify global trade system
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed Beijing's readiness to cooperate with the European Union to uphold the principles of international trade and the World Trade Organization (WTO). The "mutual tariffs" announced by U.S. President Donald Trump were described as a "weapon used to exert pressure."
A spokesperson for the Chinese ministry, Lin Jian, emphasized that China and the EU, as the second and third largest economies in the world, are "advocates of economic globalisation and trade liberalisation" and "staunch defenders" of the WTO.
- EU leaders have emphasised that stable and certain conditions are essential for the proper functioning of the world economy - said Lin during a press briefing.
- China and the EU are committed to upholding a multilateral trading system centered around the WTO, promoting fair and free trade, and maintaining the healthy and stable development of global economic and trade relations - he added.
On Friday, the "South China Morning Post" revealed that EU leaders are planning a summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing in July, which - according to "SCMP" - shows the EU's determination to re-engage in relations with Beijing, in the context of the breakdown of relations with the U.S. under President Trump's administration. A spokesman for the European Council confirmed on Friday that Brussels "is expected to take place in China in the second half of July."
China: The USA uses tariffs as a weapon
Referring to the "mutual tariffs," the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Beijing assessed that the USA uses them as a "weapon to exert maximum pressure and seek selfish gains."
This is a typical move of unilateralism, protectionism and economic bullying. China has issued the Chinese Government’s Position on Opposing U.S. Abuse of Tariffs to express our serious and just attitude - emphasised Lin.
Last week, Trump increased U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods to 145 percent. In response, the authorities in Beijing increased tariffs on products imported from the USA to 125 percent.
