The key facts

  • China urged the EU not to introduce protectionist and discriminatory measures
  • Bloomberg reported that the EU is preparing new trade powers to restrict access to its market
  • The EU's trade in goods deficit with China in 2025 amounted to about $418 billion

Beijing's reaction

China on Friday urged the European Union to 'refrain from introducing protectionist' measures. This followed reports that the EU is preparing new trade instruments to reduce the trade deficit with China. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning, according to the state-run Global Times, called on the EU to honor its commitments to free and open trade and the rules of the World Trade Organization. 'Beijing hopes that the EU will honor its commitments to free and open trade and WTO rules, and refrain from introducing protectionist and discriminatory policies and measures,' she told journalists. She also called on the EU to work with China toward more balanced and sustainable bilateral trade while maintaining stable global industrial and supply chains.

Reference to dialogue

Mao Ning noted that progress at the second regular meeting of the China-EU consultation mechanism on trade and investment showed that the sides are capable of resolving differences through dialogue.

Report on the EU's plans

Beijing's statements followed a Bloomberg publication on Thursday, according to which the EU is preparing new trade powers that could effectively restrict access to the bloc's market as part of efforts to reduce the trade deficit with China. According to the agency, citing informed sources, EU country leaders at a meeting in Brussels on Thursday asked the European Commission to prepare a proposal by the end of the year.

Scale of the imbalance

According to the European Commission, in 2025 the EU imported $650 billion worth of goods from China and exported $232 billion, leaving a trade in goods deficit of about $418 billion. Brussels has made this imbalance one of the central issues on its agenda.