China expects the European Commission to work with China to resolve mutual concerns through dialogue and consultation, thereby creating an open and stable market environment for industries from both sides, a spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce said Thursday.
In respond to questions concerning Spanish reports which suggested that the European pork industry would ultimately "foot the bill" for problems initially triggered by trade tensions in the automotive sector, the ministry's spokesman He Yadong said China's anti-dumping investigation into relevant European Union (EU) pork products was initiated in response to applications from domestic industries and the investigation has been conducted in full compliance with Chinese legal procedures and World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, with all parties' rights fully protected.
"During the investigation, China maintained good communication with relevant enterprises, industry associations and member state governments in the EU, including Spain, giving earnest heed to the opinions of all parties. The investigation would continue to be advanced in accordance with laws and regulations. China has always used trade remedy measures with prudence and restraint. China has not initiated any original investigations into the EU this year and had made rulings in only three cases. This stands in stark contrast with the EU, which has launched seven original investigations aimed at Chinese products this year, accounting for nearly 40 percent of the EU's total externally targeted trade investigations," said He.
Particularly in the anti-subsidy case targeting electric vehicles, the EU chose to initiate the investigation on its own -- without any formal application from its domestic industry, He highlighted. He pointed out that the EU investigation process and conclusions had been unreasonable and non-compliant, and that trade remedy measures were abused on the basis of so-called "threat of injury" speculation. In response, China has made an appeal to the WTO dispute settlement mechanism, he said.
"China's commitment to open cooperation remains unwavering, the principle of resolving issues via dialogue and consultation remains unchanged. China is well-prepared for this. China expects the European Commission to implement the consensus reached during the China-EU leaders' meeting, face up to the calls of industries, work with China to resolve mutual concerns through dialogue and consultation, thereby creating an open and stable market environment for industries from both sides," said the spokesman.
China urges EU to resolve mutual trade concerns through dialogue
China urges EU to resolve mutual trade concerns through dialogue
