Q: According to media reports, on October 5, France and Germany submitted an unofficial document to the European Commission requesting the EU to strengthen the use of trade defense measures and launch a number of new protectionist tools. What comments does the Chinese side have on this? A: The Chinese side has taken note of the relevant reports. China has always believed that interdependence is not a risk, that the integration of interests is not a threat, and that open cooperation is the right path to development. Protectionism will not improve competitiveness; decoupling and breaking the chain will only hurt others to the detriment of oneself. We hope that France and Germany, as important global economies, can insist on open cooperation and free trade, abide by WTO rules, not encourage the EU to use protectionist tools frequently, let alone politicize economic and trade issues, and avoid following the wrong path in the wrong way and ultimately reverse themselves.

Q: According to media reports, on October 5, France and Germany submitted an unofficial document to the European Commission requesting the EU to strengthen the use of trade defense measures and launch a number of new protectionist tools. What comments does the Chinese side have on this? A: The Chinese side has taken note of the relevant reports. China has always believed that interdependence is not a risk, that the integration of interests is not a threat, and that open cooperation is the right path to development. Protectionism will not improve competitiveness; decoupling and breaking the chain will only hurt others to the detriment of oneself. We hope that France and Germany, as important global economies, can insist on open cooperation and free trade, abide by WTO rules, not encourage the EU to use protectionist tools frequently, let alone politicize economic and trade issues, and avoid following the wrong path in the wrong way and ultimately reverse themselves.