Full Breakdown
China Urges EU to Uphold Market-Economy Principles in Trade Relations
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Development
At a recent regular press briefing, Chinese spokesperson Guo called on European partners to respect the principles of a market economy and fair competition, warning against the misuse of trade-remedy instruments. Guo said that concrete actions are needed to promote the healthy and stable development of China-EU relations. He noted that the second meeting of the China-EU Trade and Investment Consultation Mechanism had yielded positive progress, demonstrating that both sides can resolve economic and trade differences through dialogue and consultation.
Background to the China-EU Trade Dialogue
The China-EU Trade and Investment Consultation Mechanism, established to provide a structured forum for addressing bilateral trade issues, convenes regularly to discuss market access, investment protection, and regulatory cooperation. Recent years have seen heightened scrutiny of trade-remedy measures such as anti-dumping and anti-subsidy investigations, prompting both sides to seek clearer rules and mutual confidence.
Official Statements & Responses
Guo emphasized that strengthening dialogue and deepening economic cooperation on the basis of mutual respect serves the common interest of businesses and citizens in both regions. He framed the principle of market-economy fairness as a shared expectation, arguing that avoiding the abuse of trade-remedy tools is essential for sustaining stable commercial ties. No specific response from European officials was included in the source material.
Significance for Bilateral Relations
The call reflects Beijing’s broader strategy to ensure that trade disputes do not undermine the broader strategic partnership with the European Union. By urging adherence to market-economy norms, China seeks to create a predictable environment for exporters, investors, and supply-chain participants on both sides, thereby supporting economic growth and reducing the risk of retaliatory measures.
Next Steps
Guian officials indicated that continued dialogue and concrete policy actions will be pursued through the consultation mechanism, with the aim of translating the recent positive momentum into longer-term stability in China-EU trade relations.