In adopting by a large majority Marielle DE SARNEZ's report:  "The EU and China: unbalanced trade?", the Parliamentary Committee on International Trade approved a concrete roadmap for the European Commission to restore a better balance in EU-China trade relations.

The rapporteur Marielle de Sarnez, said: "Trade between China and the European Union is unbalanced as the trade deficit to the detriment of the EU has more than tripled in 10 years. China must adopt a fairer trade ethic, in compliance with its WTO commitments. It must also stop all monetary dumping letting the yuan appreciate.

"The European Union must require true reciprocity from its trade partner, whether it be public procurement (currently closed to European businesses), protection of intellectual property rights (IPR) in China (frequently violated), and respect for environmental and health standards for Chinese products entering the European market."

"But Europe must not be naive. It must in turn speak with one voice and have a unified strategy vis-à-vis China. This is the only way to rebalance our trade relations."

"It is urgent for the EU to implement a concerted and coherent re-industrialization policy, as well as a research and innovation policy capable of addressing global challenges. In this regard, I argue for the rapid development of European project bonds that will support the European economy and growth."

"We have to show European citizens and the world that we can impose fairness in trade. Thus the EU will be able to demonstrate that it is a true community, endowed with the will and capability to command respect from the citizens that form the EU."
The report by Marielle de Sarnez is available at the following address; www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do