China warned the EU on Saturday against imposing new trade restrictions, as Brussels prepares wide-ranging measures against Beijing's industrial overcapacity amid growing fears for the future of European manufacturing, Politico reports, according to UNN.
Details
"If the EU insists on unilaterally introducing new trade instruments and adopting discriminatory restrictions, China will take decisive countermeasures and effective steps to protect its own interests," the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said in a statement.
"Communication channels between China and the EU remain open. Both sides are exploring the possibility of establishing a consultation mechanism on trade and investment issues and will conduct relevant dialogues," the ministry's statement said.
The statement came in response to a meeting of senior EU officials on Friday, which discussed ways to counter China's overcapacity.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen convened an orientation debate with 26 European Commissioners on Friday to explore a range of policy tools aimed at addressing the EU's growing trade imbalance with China, as a surge in Chinese goods, from cars to solar panels and clothing, undermines European industry, leading to factory closures and job losses.
"The current state of trade and investment relations is not sustainable," the European Commission said in a statement following the orientation debate. "As economic and security interests become increasingly intertwined, both dimensions will require a more decisive and coordinated response."
The EU's trade deficit in goods with China rose to 360 billion euros last year from 312 billion euros in 2024. It rose even more sharply in the first quarter of 2026, trade data shows.
While France and other member states have pushed for stronger measures to protect European industry, Germany has long warned against moves that could provoke retaliatory measures from Beijing.
But in a 180-degree turn, Berlin signaled on Friday a greater readiness for the EU to take tougher measures against the surge in Chinese imports, indicating a departure from its traditionally cautious stance, the publication points out.
"I think the path to a constructive dialogue with China still exists, but we cannot allow Europe to become a victim of a predatory strategy that destroys our industry. New tools, new measures, new political will are needed," EU Commissioner for Industrial Strategy Stéphane Séjourné said on Friday.