Protectionism hurts EU exports to China

The United States is expected to replace the European Union as China's largest trade partner this year, with increasing trade protectionism in the EU hurting bilateral trade, according to a senior Chinese government adviser.

"US trade with China may hit $450 billion in 2013, while EU trade with China will hover around $420 billion," Wei Jianguo, former vice-minister of commerce, told China Daily in an interview.

Wei is vice-chairman and secretary-general of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, a high-level government think tank.