China opposes reported EU 'Section 301' tool, urges dialogue to manage differences

China has voiced firm opposition to a reported push by some European Union member states for the European Commission to develop a European "Section 301" tool for tougher trade measures against China, the Ministry of Commerce said on Tuesday.

Noting relevant media reports, a ministry spokesperson stressed that the proposed tool is a typical act of unilateralism and trade protectionism. Such restrictive practices will contribute nothing to resolving existing economic and trade frictions. Instead, they will backfire on the EU, disrupt bilateral China-EU trade relations and undermine the stability of global industrial and supply chains.

Pointing out that the EU was once a victim of similar discriminatory trade tools, the spokesperson emphasized that as an important member of the World Trade Organization and a self-proclaimed defender of multilateralism, the EU should abide by international trade rules and set a good example. Any move that violates WTO norms will severely damage the rules-based multilateral trading system.

China and the EU have maintained dialogue under the bilateral trade and investment consultation mechanism to address respective concerns. The spokesperson highlighted that it will severely undermine mutual trust, disrupt bilateral consultation progress and harm overall China-EU economic and trade cooperation if the EU steps up pressure on China amid ongoing bilateral dialogue.

China urges the EU to adhere to the right approach of managing differences through dialogue and consultation. The country will closely monitor the EU's follow-up policy developments. Should the EU insist on introducing discriminatory restrictions targeting Chinese enterprises or products, China will respond firmly to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of its domestic industries, the spokesperson said.