China Says Hopes Europe Can Meet it Half-way, Promote Stable Economic Ties

China's national flags flutter during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (Adek Berry/Pool Photo via AP)
China's national flags flutter during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (Adek Berry/Pool Photo via AP)
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China Says Hopes Europe Can Meet it Half-way, Promote Stable Economic Ties

China's national flags flutter during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (Adek Berry/Pool Photo via AP)
China's national flags flutter during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (Adek Berry/Pool Photo via AP)

China hopes Europe can meet it half-way and promote healthy and stable economic and trade ties, a spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry said on Thursday.

When asked about Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's comments that the European Union should reconsider proposed import tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles, foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said: "China appreciates Sanchez's objective and rational thinking."
"China has been seeking solutions that can be accepted by both sides," said Mao at a regular press briefing.



Canada Mulls Surtax on Chinese Critical Mineral Products, Batteries, Solar Products

The sun rises against high-rise buildings in Beijing on September 6, 2024. (Photo by ADEK BERRY / AFP)
The sun rises against high-rise buildings in Beijing on September 6, 2024. (Photo by ADEK BERRY / AFP)
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Canada Mulls Surtax on Chinese Critical Mineral Products, Batteries, Solar Products

The sun rises against high-rise buildings in Beijing on September 6, 2024. (Photo by ADEK BERRY / AFP)
The sun rises against high-rise buildings in Beijing on September 6, 2024. (Photo by ADEK BERRY / AFP)

Canada has said it was considering a potential surtax on Chinese critical mineral products, batteries and parts, solar products, and semiconductors, a move which could prompt more retaliation from Beijing.
Canada announced last month it would impose a 100% tariff on imports of Chinese electric vehicles and announced a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum from China.
According to Reuters, the finance ministry said in a statement it was launching a 30-day public consultation period on the potential surtax. It ran a similar exercise before the first tariff announcement.
"Canadian workers, the auto sector, and related critical manufacturing supply chains currently face unfair competition from Chinese producers, who benefit from China's intentional, state-directed policy of overcapacity," it said.
A Chinese embassy spokesperson described the Canadian announcement as "expanding its unilateralism and protectionism measures,” adding that "China strongly opposes such measures and will continue to take resolute measures to defend its legitimate rights."
China, which deplored the tariffs unveiled in August, announced on Monday the start of a one-year anti-dumping investigation into imports of rapeseed from Canada.