The spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce answered reporters' questions on France and Germany's demand for the EU to strengthen trade defense and other protectionist tools

Q: According to media reports, on October 5th, France and Germany submitted an informal document to the European Commission, requesting the EU to strengthen the use of trade defense measures and introduce multiple new protectionist tools. What is China's comment on this?

Answer: The Chinese side has taken note of the relevant reports. China always believes that interdependence is not a risk, the integration of interests is not a threat, and open cooperation is the right path for development. Protectionism cannot enhance competitiveness, and decoupling will only harm others and benefit oneself. I hope that France and Germany, as important economies in the world, can adhere to open cooperation and free trade, abide by WTO rules, not encourage the EU to use protectionist tools at will, and not politicize economic and trade issues and pan security issues, in order to avoid taking the wrong path in the wrong way and ultimately backfire.