China warned France and Germany against protectionist trade measures as Europe prepares for a trade conflict
The EU reported a 360-billion-euro deficit in goods trade with China last year. French and German leaders called for stronger EU action against unfair trade practices and urged new powers to block imports and reduce dependency on China.
- The EU's goods deficit with China reached 360 billion euros last year.
- French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz requested a credible instrument from the European Commission to address unfair trade practices.
- China urged France and Germany to avoid protectionist trade measures.
- Beijing's foreign ministry said the China-EU economic relationship is mutually beneficial.
- A German government source said the EU must face damage equivalent to what it imposes on others.
- The EU Commission should be empowered to initiate trade restrictions against entities harming the EU.
Outlets: Der Spiegel, Deutsche Welle, Deutschlandfunk, Die Presse, Free Malaysia Today, Handelsblatt, Hong Kong Free Press HKFP, HotNews.ro, Luxembourg Times, POLITICO Europe, RTP Notícias, SCMP China, Semafor, The Economist, de Volkskrant, france24.com
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