A: Artificially restricting normal trade is suspected of violating WTO rules. It will not help improve the EU’s industrial competitiveness; instead, it will increase the burden on downstream industries, push up the EU’s inflation level, and affect the security and stability of global industrial and supply chains.

The recent second meeting of the China-EU Trade and Investment Consultations (TIC) achieved positive progress and multiple outcomes and understandings, demonstrating that the two sides not only have the willingness, but also the ability and wisdom to properly handle economic and trade differences through dialogue and consultation. China has repeatedly stressed that China is not the root cause of the problems facing the EU, but a partner in solving them. China is ready to strengthen dialogue and consultation with the EU, continue to explore solutions to each other’s economic and trade concerns, and promote upward balancing and forward progress in China-EU trade. However, China firmly opposes any protectionist behavior that abuses trade defense instruments. If the EU side insists on taking discriminatory restrictive measures against Chinese products, China will take all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard its own interests and the legitimate rights and interests of enterprises.