China urges ‘constructive dialogue’ with EU in high-level call with France

In a phone call with his French counterpart on Monday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged the European Union to avoid escalating trade disputes and engage in “constructive dialogue”.

The conversation, requested by French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, comes as Brussels tightens investment screening, public procurement rules and anti-subsidy measures, particularly on electric vehicles over what the bloc has called unfair Chinese competition.

Wang told Barrot that China and the EU should keep to their partnership, pursue mutually beneficial cooperation and openness, maintain mutual openness, properly resolve economic and trade frictions through constructive dialogue, and avoid escalating confrontation, according to a Chinese statement.

“Protectionism will not enhance Europe’s competitiveness but will instead deprive consumers of high-quality and affordable products, drive up inflation and hamper the process of green transition,” Beijing’s top diplomat was quoted as saying.