Strengthening economic and trade cooperation between China and Europe, and responding to the tariffs imposed by the United States and Canada. This meeting sends an important signal

The reporter learned from the Ministry of Commerce that on the afternoon of April 8th, Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao held a video conference with European Commission's Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, Shevchovich. The two sides exchanged in-depth and candid opinions on strengthening China EU economic and trade cooperation, responding to the so-called "equivalent tariffs" imposed by the United States and Canada. Both sides agree to initiate consultations as soon as possible and support the restart of the China EU trade remedy dialogue mechanism.

Wang Wentao stated that China is willing to work together with Europe, strengthen communication and exchanges, and deepen China Europe trade, investment, and industrial cooperation.

Wang Wentao pointed out that the so-called "equivalent tariffs" of the United States seriously infringe upon the legitimate interests of all countries, seriously violate WTO rules, seriously damage the rules based multilateral trading system, seriously undermine the stability of the global economic order, and are typical unilateralism, protectionism, and economic bullying. China firmly opposes this and has taken countermeasures to firmly safeguard its own rights and interests. The US threat to impose an additional 50% tariff on China is a mistake on top of another mistake. There is no winner in a trade war, and protectionism has no way out. The Chinese side is willing to resolve differences through consultation and negotiation, but if the US insists on going its own way, the Chinese side will definitely accompany them to the end.

Wang Wentao emphasized that under the current situation, China and Europe jointly uphold the rules based multilateral trading system, adhere to trade liberalization and facilitation, and inject more stability and certainty into the world economy and global trade.

Shevchovich stated that the US tariffs have severely impacted international trade and had a serious impact on Europe, China, and vulnerable countries. The United States only accounts for 13% of global trade in goods, and the European side is willing to work together with other WTO members, including China, to ensure the normal operation of global trade. The European side attaches great importance to the economic and trade relations between Europe and China, and is willing to strengthen dialogue and communication with China to promote the expansion of two-way market access, investment, and industrial cooperation.

Both parties agree to initiate consultations as soon as possible, deeply discuss market access related issues, create a more favorable business environment for enterprises, immediately carry out negotiations on electric vehicle price commitments, and discuss investment cooperation in the China Europe automotive industry. Both sides support the restart of the China EU trade remedy dialogue mechanism, discuss trade transfer issues, and properly handle trade frictions. Both sides stated that they will continue to strengthen communication within the framework of the World Trade Organization, jointly promote WTO reform, and uphold the multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core.

(CCTV reporter Liu Ying and Chen Qian)