China, EU pledge to enhance ties

China and the European Union pledged to strengthen strategic partnership through upholding multilateralism and fighting for a cooperative global order against protectionism.

The vow was made on Friday during the eighth round of the China-EU high-level strategic dialogue in Brussels, co-chaired by EU high representative Federica Mogherini and Wang Yi, Chinese state councilor and foreign minister.

Faced with the United States’ latest trade tariffs launched against its allies and Washington’s threats against Beijing, both the EU and China’s top diplomats said it was the “right time” to hold their dialogue.

As of June 1, the US starts to levy additional duties of 25 percent and 10 percent respectively on steel and aluminum imports from the EU.

“This is protectionism, pure and simple,” said Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European Commission.

The EU decided to proceed with WTO dispute settlement measures and the imposition of additional duties on a number of imports from the US, according to Juncker, who met China’s foreign minister on the same day.

Besides joint efforts against protectionism, policymakers said they are fully committed to reinforcing economic cooperation between the EU and China, deepening bilateral ties in trade, investment and connectivity.

The two top diplomats exchanged views on foreign policy and security issues, including the Iran nuclear deal, the situation on the Korean Peninsula, and bilateral issues.

The dialogue on Friday paved the way for the upcoming 20th China-EU summit, which is scheduled in Beijing next month.

Prior to Wang’s visit to the EU headquarters and Belgium, he visited Germany and met with German foreign minister and federal president in Berlin. He also met his counterparts and government heads of France, Spain and Portugal from May 16 to 19.

Brussels has expressed expectations for stronger collaboration between the 28-bloc union and China.

“Between friends, and especially between two global powers such as the EU and China, the dialogue cannot be regular, intensive, and frank enough,” said Jo Leinen, chair of delegation for relations with China at the European Parliament.

He said Europe is ready to work closely with China to solve global problems. The frequency of high-level meetings shows both are committed to seeking answers to common issues.

“I expect the leaders to find ways to work together against protectionism and to address these issues jointly at the WTO,” Leinen said.

It is of utmost importance to the EU lawmakers that the 20th EU-China summit leads to tangible results.

Iuliu Winkler, the parliament’s standing rapporteur on China and vice-chair of the international trade committee, stressed the priority is to clearly reaffirm the importance of universal values.

“In the context of a volatile global environment, with complexly strained relationships across the board, the key is to foster sincere communication on subjects of common interest,” Winkler said.

The dialogue cannot be regular, intensive, and frank enough.”

Jo Leinen,

Liu Jia in Brussels contributed to this story.