EU to Defend Itself Against China's Unfair Trade Practices: Merz
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz says EU will defend its industries against China's unfair trade practices without seeking a trade war.
The European Union will defend its industries against China's unfair trade practices, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Wednesday.
He stressed that the EU does not seek a trade war with China but aims to address the large trade deficit and protect its industries, Turkey's state-run news agency Anadolu Agency reported.
Merz noted that officials are preparing trade-defense tools to target market-distorting practices, as part of a Franco-German initiative. "This is not the beginning of a war, of a trade war with China. We are looking for peaceful solutions," Merz said at the Berlin Global Dialogue conference. The EU will keep these tools ready while seeking to resolve issues with China through dialogue.
Merz emphasized that European and German industries must strengthen their competitiveness to meet global challenges. He added that the EU does not intend to close its market to Chinese companies and products but demands fair trade under the same conditions. "We have to do our homework. We are far away from being competitive enough to meet these global challenges," Merz said.
The EU-China trade relationship has been a subject of concern for many years, with the EU facing a significant trade deficit with China. The EU has been seeking to address issues such as unfair trade practices, intellectual property rights, and market access.
Germany, as the EU's largest economy, has a significant stake in the trade relationship with China. The country has been seeking to strengthen its economic ties with China while also addressing concerns about unfair trade practices.