Protectionism to be severe next year, senior trade officials warn

Trade protectionism measures targeting Chinese goods will continue to be "severe" in 2017 as anti-globalization forces are likely to keep growing in the United States. Also, many European politicians may play the "China Card" in their elections, senior trade officials said on Thursday.

Yu Jianlong, secretary-general of the China Chamber of International Commerce, said the situation remains challenging and complicated because both the US and European Union are either having or will have dramatic changes in their political system, which will generate direct impacts on their trade relations with China.

Trade conflicts have escalated this year, with trade investigations now taking place on various types of goods, from telecoms to steel, and this is likely to continue.