China Calls for Equal Dialogue as EU Trade Tensions Intensify
Beijing says stable economic ties serve both sides as EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic holds talks with Chinese officials in an effort to address trade imbalances.
BEIJING — China has called for open cooperation and equal dialogue to resolve growing economic and trade differences with the European Union as the bloc seeks to reduce its widening trade deficit with China.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Thursday that healthy and stable economic and trade relations serve the common interests of both sides, according to Reuters.
Her comments came as European Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic traveled to Beijing for talks with Chinese officials. Sefcovic is seeking ways to address the EU's growing trade deficit with China, according to Reuters.
The European Union has increasingly raised concerns over the competitiveness of its manufacturing sector and the growing volume of Chinese goods entering European markets.
China, meanwhile, has repeatedly warned against protectionism and called for trade disputes to be addressed through dialogue and cooperation.
The two sides are also facing disagreements over China's restrictions on exports of rare earths and other critical minerals that are important to European industries.
The trade relationship has become increasingly complex, with Brussels seeking greater access to the Chinese market while also attempting to protect European manufacturers from competitive pressure.
The latest talks are part of broader efforts by Beijing and Brussels to prevent economic disputes from developing into a wider confrontation.
China's Foreign Ministry also announced Thursday that Emmanuel Bonne, diplomatic adviser to French President Emmanuel Macron, will visit China from Oct. 9 to 13.
Bonne is expected to hold talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi as the two sides seek to strengthen strategic communication.
The latest diplomatic exchanges indicate that Beijing and European governments are attempting to maintain high-level communication despite persistent disagreements over trade and industrial policy.