October 2, 2026

The European Union's proposed "Section 301" trade instrument against China is more of a negotiation pressure tactic rather than a substantive policy shift, said experts, warning that it would backfire and has a low probability of full implementation.

Their comments came on the heels of a firm rebuke by China's Ministry of Commerce on Tuesday against reported moves by some EU member states to push the European Commission to accelerate work on an instrument modeled on Section 301 of the US Trade Act, which allows Washington to investigate and respond to what it considers unfair foreign trade practices.

The ministry denounced the proposal as unilateral protectionism that would backfire and disrupt bilateral trade and global supply chain stability.

Read more:

https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202610/02/WS6abef04be4b06d4aa05612b0.html