China seeks dialogue with EU on steel imports

China has offered to negotiate between the government, Chinese firms and the European Union to resolve trade disputes between the two regions over the import of steel from an Asian country.

Chinese Commerce Minister Gao Hucheng, at a press conference, spoke of the need to settle the issue during negotiations, while at the same time defending China's right to respond to accusations from European firms.

On February 12, the European Commission opened an investigation into three steel products imported from China to determine if they were being sold below market prices in the EU market, with dumping.

Gao clarified that this is about market behavior, not government, and added that China reserves the right to respond in accordance with WTO (World Trade Organization) rules. He also noted that trade tensions are caused by the excessive availability of steel in the world, calling it a global problem that requires a joint solution.

According to the World Steel Association, China is the world's largest steel producer, with annual output more than double that of its four closest competitors (Japan, India, the United States and Russia) combined.