China has voiced strong opposition to reported moves by some European Union member states to develop a tougher trade enforcement mechanism aimed at Chinese companies and products, warning that such measures could disrupt bilateral commerce and global supply chains.
China’s Ministry of Commerce said the reported proposal for a so-called European “301” tool represented what it described as protectionism and unilateralism, arguing that it would not resolve trade disputes and could instead damage the EU’s own interests.
The remarks followed reports that some EU member states were preparing a joint document urging the European Commission to accelerate work on a trade instrument modelled on the United States’ Section 301 mechanism and adopt a tougher stance towards China. Reuters reported that the initiative is being discussed amid broader European efforts to strengthen tools against practices it considers unfair.
Beijing said the EU, as a World Trade Organization member and longstanding advocate of multilateral trade rules, should avoid measures that China believes could undermine the rules-based trading system.
The ministry also warned that simultaneously pursuing negotiations with Beijing while increasing trade pressure could weaken mutual trust and complicate ongoing China-EU consultations.
China and the EU have been holding discussions under their Trade and Investment Consultations mechanism, which was established to address issues including trade and investment imbalances, export controls, intellectual property rights and WTO reform.
China called on Brussels to continue managing trade differences through dialogue rather than additional restrictions.
The ministry said it would closely monitor further developments and warned that China would respond if the EU introduced what Beijing regards as discriminatory restrictions targeting Chinese companies or products.
“China will respond firmly to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese industries,” the ministry said, according to its statement.
