EU Conservative Leader Urges Stronger Trade Stance Against China in Europe
Manfred Weber Calls for Tougher EU Trade Policy Towards China
ZURICH, June 7 (Reuters) - The head of the conservative European People's Party in the European Parliament has called for a tougher European Union trade policy towards China, warning that Beijing's industrial strength threatened parts of Europe's economy, Bild am Sonntag reported.
Weber's Warning on European Economic Threats
"The time of naivety is over," Manfred Weber told the newspaper. "We must defend European interests more clearly, more firmly and more consistently."
EU Trade Deficit and Industrial Concerns
• Weber, a senior figure in Germany's CSU party, said the EU's trade deficit with China, which he put at almost €1 billion ($1.15 billion) a day, was no longer sustainable and endangered Europe's industrial base and high-quality jobs.
Potential Consequences for European Industry
• "Either we defend ourselves, or China will flatten parts of our industry," he was quoted as saying.
Upcoming EU Summit and Policy Proposals
• His comments come ahead of an EU summit on June 18, where leaders are expected to discuss protective trade measures prepared by the European Commission, including tariffs.
Leveraging Market Access and Enforcing Standards
• Weber said Brussels should use China's access to the EU single market as leverage to enforce fair competition and EU standards.
Development Projects and Technology Exclusion
• He also called for EU-funded overseas development projects not to be awarded to Chinese companies and proposed excluding China from Europe's development of 6G technology, Bild am Sonntag reported.
($1 = 0.8681 euros)
(Reporting by John Revill; Editing by Kim Coghill)
