PARIS (dpa-AFX) - EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has threatened China with defensive measures due to trade distortions. "We will defend our companies, we will defend our economy. We will never hesitate to do so if necessary," said von der Leyen after a three-way meeting with China's head of state and party leader Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Monday. "A China that plays fair is good for us all. At the same time, Europe will not hesitate to take tough decisions to protect its economy and its security."

"Europe cannot accept market-distorting practices that could lead to deindustrialization here at home," said the EU Commission President. Subsidized Chinese products such as e-cars or steel were flooding the European market, while at the same time China was massively supporting its manufacturing industry and crippling domestic demand. "The world cannot absorb China's overproduction," said von der Leyen. That is why she asked Xi to tackle structural overproduction.

"At the same time, we will coordinate closely with the G7 countries and the emerging economies, which are also increasingly affected by China's market distortions." Fair trade requires equal market access, said von der Leyen. Discussions had been held with Xi on how progress could be made in this regard. "I am convinced that further progress can be made. At the same time, we are prepared to make full use of our trade defense instruments if necessary," said the EU Commission President. "Our market is and will remain open to fair competition and investment, but it is not good for Europe if our security is put at risk and we become vulnerable. That is why we are taking action."

Chinese-European economic relations are among the most important in the world, emphasized von der Leyen. "I am convinced that with fair competition, we will have a permanently flourishing economy in Europe that will offer more good jobs."/evs/DP/men