China slammed the European Union for justifying trade imbalances after the 27-nation bloc said it would use import quotas and tariffs to hedge against unfair competition, the Foreign Ministry said Thursday.
Spokesperson Mao Ning responded to EU Industry Commissioner Stéphane Séjourné's statement to the Financial Times that the bloc would use quotas and tariffs more systematically due to threats of Chinese competition in the chemicals, metals, and clean technology sectors.
"China has never deliberately pursued a trade surplus with Europe," Mao said during a press briefing that day, adding that China has never forced any nation to buy or sell to the nation.
A conclusion of trade imbalance would "naturally" come up "if one only looks at trade in goods and ignores trade in services and investment returns," Mao said.
The EU's quotas are seen to protect the European market from cheap Chinese products and exports, the Financial Times reported separately.
Beijing will take needed measures to protect its rights, Mao said.