China warns it will take 'all necessary measures' if EU restricts Chinese products
In short
China's Ministry of Commerce said on 29 October that it will take all necessary measures if the EU imposes discriminatory restrictions on Chinese products. Spokesperson Huang Ling (黄玲) was responding to media reports that the EU is studying extending its hybrid-vehicle trade understanding with China to areas such as chemicals.
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China's Ministry of Commerce said on 29 October that it will take all necessary measures if the EU takes discriminatory restrictive measures against Chinese products. Ministry spokesperson Huang Ling (黄玲) made the statement at the ministry's regular press conference, Xinhua reported from Beijing. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
Huang was responding to media reports that the EU is studying extending the trade understanding reached between China and the EU on hybrid vehicles to other areas, including chemicals. She said artificial restrictions on normal trade are suspected of violating WTO rules. In her words, they would not help raise the competitiveness of EU industry, would add to the burden on downstream industries, and would push up inflation in the EU and affect the security and stability of global industrial and supply chains. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
Huang also pointed to the recent second regular meeting of the China-EU trade and investment consultation mechanism, which she said made positive progress and produced several consensus outcomes. She said this showed both sides have the will, ability and wisdom to settle economic and trade differences through dialogue and consultation. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
She said China has repeatedly stressed that it is not the source of the problems the EU faces but a partner in solving them. China is willing to strengthen dialogue and consultation with the EU, keep discussing each side's trade concerns and promote China-EU trade that is balanced upward and moves forward, she said. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
Huang added that China firmly opposes any protectionist behaviour that abuses trade defence tools. If the EU persists and adopts discriminatory restrictions on Chinese products, she said, China will take all necessary measures to firmly defend its own interests and the legitimate rights of its companies. The documents do not say what those measures would be, and they quote no EU response to the media reports. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
Why it matters
The statement sets out Beijing's position on possible EU trade curbs beyond hybrid vehicles, while it also stresses willingness to keep talking. The documents do not say what measures China would take or whether the EU has decided anything.
Key facts
- Ministry of Commerce spokesperson Huang Ling (黄玲) spoke at the ministry's regular press conference on 29 October. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- She was responding to media reports that the EU is studying extending the China-EU trade understanding on hybrid vehicles to areas such as chemicals. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- Huang said artificial restrictions on normal trade are suspected of violating WTO rules and would add to the burden on downstream industries and push up inflation in the EU. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
- She said the second regular meeting of the China-EU trade and investment consultation mechanism made positive progress and produced several consensus outcomes. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- Huang said China is not the source of the EU's problems but a partner in solving them, and is willing to strengthen dialogue. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- She said that if the EU persists and adopts discriminatory restrictions on Chinese products, China will take all necessary measures to defend its interests and the legitimate rights of its companies. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The Ministry of Commerce spokesperson said China will take all necessary measures if the EU adopts discriminatory restrictions on Chinese products. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- The remarks responded to media reports that the EU is studying extending the hybrid-vehicle trade understanding to chemicals and other areas. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]
Still unclear
- Whether the EU is in fact studying extending the hybrid-vehicle understanding to chemicals and other areas. The documents refer only to unnamed media reports; no EU statement is quoted.
- What measures China would take. The spokesperson said only 'all necessary measures' and gave no details.
- The content of the China-EU trade understanding on hybrid vehicles and of the consensus outcomes from the second consultation meeting. The documents do not describe either.