China said today that it expects the European Union to “support free trade” and “oppose protectionism”, after Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and European Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic spoke by phone.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun declared, at a press conference, that “the essence of economic and trade relations between China and the EU lies in complementarity and mutual benefit”.
Guo conveyed his wish that “the EU will fulfill its commitment to support free trade and oppose trade protectionism, and provide a fair, transparent and non-discriminatory business environment for companies in all countries”.
According to the spokesperson, China expects the 27 “to adopt concrete measures to defend the market economy and the standards of the World Trade Organization [OMC]” and “persist in the appropriate resolution of trade differences through dialogue”.
During the call, Sefcovic invited Chinese authorities to visit Brussels to seek “urgent solutions” to the export controls on rare earths imposed by Beijing, measures that the EU considers “unfair”.
The European Trade Commissioner explained that the Chinese minister accepted the invitation from the community executive to address the issue in the “next few days” in the Belgian capital, a visit that has not yet been confirmed by the Chinese authorities.
“After this morning’s conversation, we have no interest in escalation, but the situation casts a shadow on our relationship, so a quick resolution is essential,” said the European Commissioner.
Sefcovic, who classified the discussion as “constructive”, recalled that Brussels considers that the increase in Chinese controls on exports since April is “unjustified and harmful” and damages the bilateral relationship between both parties, while at the same time going against attempts to achieve more stable and reliable trade.
The European Commissioner discussed with Wang the ban on the company Nexperia from exporting semiconductors produced in its factory in China, following the decision by the Netherlands to intervene in the company to prevent the transfer of knowledge to China by the company, which was founded in the Netherlands, but in 2019 was acquired by a Chinese group.
In this sense, he said that both parties have communicated to him their intention to “resolve the situation and work towards a practical agreement that restores supply chains, provides much-needed certainty and avoids global production stoppages”.
In recent months, Brussels has expressed concern about restrictions on access to the Chinese market and the use of rare earths as an instrument of pressure.
In addition, friction persists between Beijing and the 27 over European tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles and Chinese investigations into European brandy, pork and dairy products.