Commerce Ministry urges EU to avoid protectionism

China urged on Thursday the European Union to respect World Trade Organization rules and said new EU legislation is likely to be used for trade protection, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

The ministry's comment came after the European Parliament approved legislation on Wednesday designed to protect EU industries from imports by using so-called market distortions as a tool.

The new legislation will allow the EU to use costs in a third country to determine whether there is dumping of Chinese exports. The legislation can also launch probes to investigate labor and environmental standards when setting import duties. It is expected to become effective before year's end.