The EU has restated its readiness to launch a trade war with China over imports of cheap electric cars, steel and cheap solar and wind technology, with Ursula von der Leyen saying the bloc will “not waver” from protecting industries and jobs after a meeting with the Chinese president, Xi Jinping, reports The Guardian.
The European Commission chief said she was “convinced that if the competition is fair” from China, then Europe “will have thriving durable economies”.
But she said the “imbalances” caused by state support for Chinese industry leading to cut-cost products threatened jobs in Europe, and that was “a matter of great concern”.
“Europe will not waver from making tough decisions needed to protect its economy and security,” she said.
Her warning, came less than two hours after a cordial meeting at the Élysée Palace between the Chinese president and Emmanuel Macron, his French counterpart.
Xi Jinping and Macron used their opening remarks to express a mutual desire for good relations.
As “two important forces in the world” Xi said “both of us should adhere to the position of partnership, adhere to dialogue and cooperation” with “strategic collaboration” to promote “stable and healthy development” and “contribute to world peace and development”.
The EU’s more robust stance on trade with China dovetails with Washington’s approach.
The US treasury secretary, Janet Yellen, has warned China that Washington would not accept new industries being “decimated” by Chinese imports.
After the trilateral meeting, von der Leyen was blunt but insisted China had time to change direction.
She said they had an “honest and open exchange and discussion where we see eye to eye and on points where we have differences”.
Together with Macron they spoke about the geopolitical situation and how both the EU and China had a “shared interest in peace and security” with a strong role to play in relation to the war in Ukraine.