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.
This story is from the May 07, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 07, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
'So what next?' Guardiola admits he may do only one more season at City
Manager hails 'impossible' achievement after winning a sixth title in seven years
Caicedo's long shot helps clinch European football for Chelsea
When Mauricio Pochettino sits down with Chelsea's board for the review that will determine whether he continues as head coach, perhaps he can point to the fact that he has imbued his collection of young talents with so much confidence that European football was secured in part thanks to Moisés Caicedo scoring from halfway.
Havertz's winner in vain as Arsenal fall just short
For a few seconds, the miracle that Mikel Arteta and Arsenal fans so craved seemed as if it might happen.
United look to future as De Zerbi bows out
If one manager's future is settled, the other's hangs in the balance.
Wood quick off the mark to confirm survival for Forest
Even the most pessimistic of Nottingham Forest fans could enjoy the confirmation of Premier League survival, leading from the second minute of their victory over Burnley to guarantee a third consecutive season in the top flight.
Usyk the rightful king after digging deep to rock Fury
Ukrainian unites division as brutal assault in closing rounds stuns Gypsy King
Verstappen holds off thrilling surge from Norris to claim dramatic win
Proof then that there is life yet in the old dog, the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix delivered an Imola finale worthy of the venerable venue.
'A plane for the summer' Luxury trade fair woos global super-rich
\"There are enough people, with enough money to buy them,\" Sharmaine Guelas says as she shows off the specifications of a £3.2m forest green five-passenger helicopter at Elite London, a \"luxury\" trade fair.
Viagogo sorry for 'mistakenly' advertising England tickets
The ticket trading website Viagogo has apologised for \"mistakenly\" advertising tickets for a forthcoming England football match, despite the fact that the resale of football tickets is illegal in the UK.
'So many scary moments' Chronicling civilians forced to flee from Ukraine's frontlines
There's a moment in Ivan Sautkin's new documentary, A Poem for Little People, in which a humanitarian volunteer tries to reason with a group of women filling cans with the grimy water that has collected in a shell hole in their suburban street. They should come with him now, says the volunteer, Anton Yaremchuk.