EU Calls on China to Avoid Escalation over US Tariffs

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called on China to avoid escalation over US tariffs.

A statement issued by the European Union stated that during a phone call today with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, von der Leyen called for a negotiated solution to the current situation, stressing the need to avoid a further escalation in tariffs, following US President Donald Trump’s announcement to impose tariffs on a large number of countries around the world.

She emphasized the responsibility of Europe and China to support a free and fair trade system based on equal terms of competition in the face of global disruptions caused by US announcements.

She expressed the European Union’s concern about the influx of Chinese goods into its territory in an attempt to circumvent the tariffs imposed by Trump, emphasizing China’s essential role in preventing this potential shift, particularly in sectors affected by global overcapacity.

The statement stated that von der Leyen and Li discussed the establishment of a mechanism to monitor the potential flow of goods. China pledged today to fight US tariffs to the end, despite US President Donald Trump’s threats to impose new duties. Yesterday, Monday, the US president threatened Beijing with new tariffs of 50%, effective tomorrow, if it maintains the 34% countervailing tariffs it has imposed on US products.