The European Union hardens its trade showdown with China

Containers in the Chinese port of Nantong (illustrative image).

The European Union is intensifying its trade showdown with China.

PA

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1 min

In disagreement with Chinese reprisals against Lithuania and with Beijing's policy on patents, Brussels had seized the World Trade Organization (WTO) at the beginning of 2022. This time, it is asking it to form two "

courts"  which will be able to act " 

 ". 

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The European Commission assures us that it would have preferred to settle “ 

 process”, a process which remained in vain in the Lithuanian file as in that of patents.  

“ 

Discriminatory and coercive

 ” measures

On the one hand, Brussels is offended by the measures taken against Lithuania after the Baltic country authorized Taiwan to open an official representation in Vilnius under its own name.

The Commission denounces “ 

 ” measures against Lithuanian exports and EU products incorporating Lithuanian components.

The financial impact remains marginal, but Brussels is concerned about the paralyzing effect that these measures can have on economic players.

Intellectual property 

The second dossier concerns respect for intellectual property.

For just over two years, Chinese courts have been able to prohibit patent holders from using a non-Chinese court to enforce their rights.

A provision that Brussels considers "

" with the WTO agreement.

Resolving these disputes will likely take time.

The “special groups” will be formed by March 2023. Their work can then last up to a year and a half.

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