Beijing urged the European Union on Thursday to avoid engaging in protectionism, after Brussels proposed an anti-dumping levy on imports of Chinese solar panels.
The EU’s executive arm, the European Commission, is considering a heavy tariff of 47 per cent, an EU source said, as European solar panel makers complain they are being undercut by cheap Chinese imports.
Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a regular press briefing that China and the European Union were each other’s “most important trade partners”.
“We also hope that the European side can be cautious in using protectionist measures,” she said.
“We hope that both sides can maintain an attitude of constructive cooperation, and use dialogue and consultations to properly handle differences,” she added, saying that “win-win cooperation” benefited both sides.
The two have engaged in a series of tit-for-tat trade disputes.