China's Yao Jing Urges EU Partnership, Cites US 'Abuse' and $345 Billion Trade Deficit

China's ambassador to Spain, Yao Jing, has stated that Beijing seeks a partnership with the European Union, not a relationship defined by rivalry or competition. The envoy emphasized that China wants to be seen as a partner to the EU and not a threat. In an interview with Reuters, Yao Jing linked this stance to countering what he described as economic 'abuse' by the United States, highlighting China's opposition to unilateral US trade policies. The ambassador called for the EU to reconsider export controls on high-tech products, including semiconductors, and tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, as well as limitations on companies such as Huawei and ZTE accessing the EU's 5G networks. He noted that China is opening sectors such as telecommunications, banking, and manufacturing to foreign investment. Recent meetings between Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing were aimed at strengthening economic and political ties between China and Europe. The ambassador cited a recent agreement to allow Spanish pork products into China as an example of increased market access, and said China is ready to open its market further to EU members. European businesses operating in China, as highlighted by Jens Eskelund, president of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, recognize China's technological leadership and self-sufficiency in several sectors, driven in part by the 'Made in China 2025' strategy. However, they also note challenges from government support for local companies and a trade environment that favors Chinese firms. The EU's trade deficit with China was reported as $345 billion in 2023, and the EU has imposed tariffs on some Chinese products in response to perceived market imbalances.