China calls for multilateralism, free trade system with EU

China has called for the strengthening of ties with the European Union (EU) amid a worsening trade dispute with the United States, saying that the two sides need to collectively and firmly safeguard multilateralism and a free trade system based on international rules.

Chinese Prime Minster Li Keqiang made the remarks in a meeting with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker in Brussels on Friday.

Stressing that Beijing and Brussels have maintained frequent high-level exchanges over the past years, Li said the steady and in-depth development of bilateral relations would not only meet the common need of both sides, but also help promote world peace and development.

The Chinese premier said his country’s resolve to comprehensively deepen reforms and expand future trade opportunities with the 28-member bloc was "unwavering," and that the move was an independent choice made by the government in Beijing.

Li said China would equally treat all domestic and foreign enterprises registered in the country and would endeavor to forge a market-oriented, law-based and internationalized business environment.

The premier said China plans to endorse making improvements to the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO), however, stressed that such improvements must be carried out on the basis of the WTO's existing rules.

“The WTO's core concepts, including the idea of free trade, should be respected. Enjoying popular support, free trade has brought peaceful development and prosperity for human beings and should be the basis for promoting fair trade,” Li noted.

Juncker, for his part, said the EU and China are indispensable global powers to the world and bear major responsibility in safeguarding multilateralism, adding that both sides support solving problems through multilateral consultations.

The EU and China have regularly exchanged views on the WTO reforms and agree that the reforms should adhere to multilateralism and the basic rules of the organization, according to Juncker.

PressTV-China, EU vow to strengthen WTO amid US protectionism

China and the EU reiterate their pledge to oppose US protectionism and reinstate the global trade order.

The European Commission president also said the bloc appreciated China's significant role in handling climate change and would work with China to push forward the implementation of the Paris Agreement in combating climate change.

China and the EU share similar concerns about moves by the United States to impose tit-for-tat tariffs on key imports, including on metals. The two have introduced their own tariffs on US products to compensate for President Donald Trump’s so-called protectionist policies in trade.

The Trump administration imposed tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods in the middle of September. It prompted Beijing to retaliate with tariffs on $60 billion worth of American products, dropping Chinese imports of American products by 9 percent last month.

Many investors and economic analysts are concerned that the deepening trade standoff between China and the US could derail the global economy. They have also warned that consumers in the US are the main victims of Trump's tariffs on Chinese goods.

Despite accusing China of unfair trade and stealing US intellectual property, the American president has also claimed that Beijing is seeking to intervene in the fateful November 6 US congressional midterm elections.

PressTV-China trying to 'impact' US election: Trump

Trump has accused China of seeking to influence upcoming American elections by targeting his political support base in the escalating trade war between the two countries.

Trump's protectionist agenda has also rattled long-running US alliances with the European Union (EU) and Japan.

The Trump administration has steeply increased tariffs on steel, aluminum and automobile imports from the EU. It is also mulling similar tariff hikes for Japan.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk