EU: Mutual needs grow amid isolationism

Beijing thinks the consensus reached in the China-EU dialogue is in alignment with the road map and timetable for China’s reform and opening-up drive, Liu said.

The two sides have agreed to pay attention to and work to solve the market access issues facing businesses on both sides, Liu said.

China hopes that the EU will take practical measures to relax export controls against China, Liu added. Analysts said it would be wise for the EU to do so.

Given that reports have said the US is planning to ratchet up its scrutiny of Chi- nese investments in key industries, Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang on Monday urged the US government to view Chinese companies’ commercial activities in an objective way. Geng urged the US to provide a fair, sound and predictable investment environment for them.

The EU began imposing a 25 percent tariff on about $3.4 billion of US imports last week, including whiskey and motorcycles, to respond to the US announcement in May that it would hit the EU with 25 percent duties on imported steel and 10 percent on aluminum.

There is fear it may be only the beginning of such US measures, experts said.

“The EU should maintain a united front with China to oppose such actions,” said Sang Baichuan, director of the Institute of International Business at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing.

China and the EU will continue to connect the Belt and Road Initiative to Europe’s development strategies, promote positive progress in the China-EU Connectivity Platform and China-EU Co-investment Fund, and further practical cooperation in the digital economy and e-commerce, according to Liu.

As industrial structure and the product quality of high-end manufactured goods between the EU and the US are fairly similar, many European countries should be aware that their exports are under a serious US protectionist threat, said Zhang Jianping, a researcher at Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation.

China and the EU share views on preserving free trade and have huge potential to cooperate on tackling protectionism, Zhang said.

ZOU HONG / CHINA DAILY As they gather for a group photo at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on Monday, Vice-Premier Liu He (center), European Commission Vice-President Jyrki Katainen (third from left in front row) and Chinese and EU officials attend the 7th China-EU...