EU Reaffirms Readiness For Trade War With China To Protect Domestic Jobs

The EU has restated its readiness to launch a trade war with China over imports of cheap electric cars, steel and solar and wind technology.

- Lisa O’Carroll, Kim Willsher

Ursula von der Leyen said the bloc was committed to protecting industries and jobs after a meeting with the Chinese president, Xi Jinping, on his multi-day tour of Europe.

The European Commission chief said she was "convinced that if the competition is fair" from China, then Europe "will have thriving, durable economies". But she said the "imbalances" caused by state support for Chinese industry leading to cut-price products threatened jobs in Europe, and that was "a matter of great concern".

"Europe will not waver from making tough decisions needed to protect its economy and security," she said.

Her warning came less than two hours after a cordial meeting at the Élysée Palace in Paris between Xi and Emmanuel Macron, his French counterpart.

In a video released before the talks, at which von der Leyen was present, Macron said the need for a EuropeChina dialogue was "greater than ever... because of the international situation". He added that coordination with China over "major crises" including Ukraine and the Middle East was "absolutely decisive".

In response, Xi said China and the European Union should strengthen their "strategic cooperation" and remain "partners" despite numerous disputes ranging from trade to human rights.