China has warned it will hit back if the European Union (EU) rolls out new trade rules that unfairly target Chinese goods and companies. The message underlines growing friction as Europe talks about “de‑risking” from China while relying heavily on Chinese supply chains.

At a regular press briefing in Beijing, a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Commerce responded to reports that Brussels is preparing new tools to deal with what it frames as Chinese “overcapacity” in industries like electric vehicles, batteries and green tech. 

“We urge the EU side to return to the right track of dialogue and consultation, and do things that are truly beneficial to the development of China-EU economic and trade relations,” spokesperson He Yadong said.

[See more: China’s factory-gate prices recover for a second month as consumer prices rise] 

The spokesperson argued that simply having a trade surplus with Europe does not mean China is dumping excess products on the EU market, and questioned why Europe’s own strong exports in areas such as cars, pharmaceuticals, wine and cosmetics are also not labelled as “overcapacity.”

The comments come after a series of EU restrictions implicitly aimed at Chinese firms. In April, China responded by adding several European defence and aerospace‑related companies to an export control list, limiting their access to certain Chinese products in a targeted move rather than a broad‑based retaliation.

Chinese officials have now warned that if the EU proceeds with what Beijing views as “discriminatory” measures, China will take “resolute countermeasures.” They have not given details, but past actions suggest a focus on proportional responses: tighter export controls on specific items, or measures aimed at sectors and companies seen as driving the EU’s hardening stance.