China’s commerce ministry said on Friday that the European Union is to blame for escalating trade frictions, which could lead to a “trade war.”

“The responsibility lies solely with the EU side,” the ministry said in a statement commenting on concerns from the European side over possible escalations of trade frictions.

China does not want to see the ongoing trade frictions with the EU, the ministry stressed, pointing out that the European side “regrettably” kept provoking trade disputes.

Since the beginning of this year, the EU imposed 31 restrictive trade and investment measures against China, 25 of which were trade remedies, seriously undermining China-EU economic and trade cooperation, according to the ministry.

Meanwhile, the ministry said China has demonstrated an open and cooperative attitude and explicitly sought to solve the issues through dialogue and consultation.

China has always followed the rules of the World Trade Organisation and used trade remedy measures with prudence and restraint, it said.

In face of the EU’s protectionism, China is determined to safeguard its legitimate and lawful interests, and hopes the EU will handle the differences through dialogues and prevent trade frictions from escalating, the ministry noted.

(Xinhua/NAN)