European Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson said here on Friday that trade defense was not his priority to have fair trade, instead it was exploiting opportunities for openness for both sides.
Mandelson made the remarks after the first Sino-European Union (EU) High-level Economic and Trade Dialogue, which he co-hosted with Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan.
"We always reserve the right to take proper trade defense measures in order to combat unfair trade, to combat dumping, to combat distortions that have impact on trade. My priority is not trade defense, but exploiting opportunities to openness for both sides," he said, adding the openness must be reciprocated.
"The global economic environment is uncertain, and uncertainty strengthens the political temptation of protectionism. I believe we must guard against that by showing that openness works."
The unfair trade, highly concerned by both China and the EU, was an important topic in the discussions today between EU commissioners and Chinese ministers.
During five hours of talks, the two sides agreed to insist fairness and openness, oppose trade protectionism in any form, strengthen dialogues and consultations, so as to have a sound and stable development of the Sino-EU trade relations.
EU envoys also appreciated China's progress in enlarging market access, emission reductions and environmental protection, intellectual property rights protection, quality and food safety, as well as assistance to African development.
The EU, the largest trading partner of China since 2004, is also a region that imposes the strictest trade barriers on the country.
Source: Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article