EU for ‘more balanced' trade ties with China
Beijing
EU leaders on Thursday threatened China with new action to counter what they consider unfair trade practices, as they met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing for a high-level summit aimed at recalibrating strained ties.
The European Union is prepared to engage in constructive dialogue to resolve the current conflicts, the 27-country bloc said after a meeting between European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President António Costa and Xi.
As long as this is not the case, however, the EU will take measures to protect its legitimate interests, it said.
'For trade to remain [mutually] beneficial, it must become more balanced,' von der Leyen demanded during a press conference following the talks.
'Europe welcomes competition,' she added. 'We like competition, but competition has to be fair.'
Earlier, state broadcaster
had quoted Xi as saying China and the EU must act with foresight amid global instability and make strategic choices, while strengthening cooperation and mutual trust.
The summit coincides with the 50th anniversary of EU-China diplomatic relations.
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