[China] - China, EU vow collaborations to uphold multilateral trading system

INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
China and the European Union (EU) pledged to jointly uphold the multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization (WTO) at its
core, Chinas Commerce Ministry stated in a statement on Thursday.The statement followed Chinas Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and European
Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic held a talk by means of video on Tuesday, throughout which they talked about
various issues, consisting of enhancing China-EU financial and trade cooperation and responses to the United States imposition of so-called
reciprocal tariffs
During their talks, Wang noted that the United Statess reciprocal tariffs seriously violate the legitimate interests of other countries,
breach the WTO guidelines, weaken the rules-based multilateral trading system and interfere with the stability of the international economic
order.The United States relocation is a typical act of unilateralism, protectionism and economic bullying, Wang said, adding that China
firmly opposes it and has taken countermeasures to protect its own rights and interests
There are no winners in a trade war, and protectionism leads no place, he said.China wants to resolve disputes through consultation and
negotiation however will fight till completion if the United States keeps acting willfully, Wang said.He stressed that under existing
situations, China and the EU collectively promoting the rules-based multilateral trading system and remaining devoted to trade
liberalization and assistance will inject more stability and certainty into the international economic and trade landscape.Sefcovic stated
the United States tariffs have seriously affected international trade, and the EU is willing to deal with other WTO members, including
China, to guarantee the regular operation of global trade.The EU values its economic and trade relations with China and is willing to
enhance dialogue and communication with China and promote greater two-way market access, investment and commercial cooperation, Sefcovic
said.According to the declaration, the two sides accepted begin consultation on problems concerning market access at an early date and
immediately start settlements on electric car rates dedications as well as concerns related to bilateral financial investment cooperation in
the auto sector.Both sides support the resumption of the China-EU trade remedy discussion mechanism to go over trade diversion concerns and
correctly manage trade frictions, according to the statement.The 2 sides also promised to continue to enhance interaction under the WTO
framework, jointly promote the WTO reform and support the multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core, the statement kept in mind.