China warns France, Germany against 'protectionist' trade tools
China has urged France and Germany to avoid implementing protectionist trade measures against the EU. This follows a proposal by French and German leaders to create a legal instrument that would allow the EU to respond quickly to trade aggression.
Why it matters
The potential for new EU trade tools signals a shift toward more aggressive economic policy against China, which could escalate global trade tensions.
"We hope that France and Germany, as major economies in the world, will uphold openness, cooperation and free trade," China's commerce ministry said in a statement.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun takes a question from a journalist at a press conference in Beijing, China Jan 7, 2025. (Photo: REUTERS/Florence Lo)
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