The European response to the recently announced expansion of Chinese rare earth export controls has been careful and measured, but it is clear that EU officials are concerned, and they are considering tough retaliatory measures.

The EU is moving forward with new trade restrictions on steel imports, which are likely to aggravate trade tensions with China and other countries.

At a meeting of the European Parliament's Committee on International Trade yesterday, Sabine Weyand, the Director-General at DG Trade of the European Commission, testified on various EU-China trade issues, including export controls and trade remedy measures.

At last week's press conference, the spokesperson for China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) defended its recent anti-dumping duties on European pork and other products, accused the EU of misusing trade remedies against Chinese goods, while simultaneously calling for dialogue and cooperation with the European Union.

Last Friday, China's Ministry of Commerce reached a preliminary ruling that imposes anti-dumping duties on pork and pig by-products from the European Union. The decision targets a significant European export with duties ranging up to 62.4%, underscoring the growing risk of tit-for-tat protectionism between China and the

After months of negotiations, the U.S. and EU reached a framework on a trade agreement last week. While the majority of the agreement touches upon tariff rate setting, market access, and purchase and investment commitments, it also includes language on supply chains, non-market policies, investment review, export controls and

Yesterday, China's Ministry of Commerce extended its anti-subsidy investigation on imports of certain European Union dairy products until early next year.