[The spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce responded to a reporter’s question on France and Germany’s request that the EU strengthen trade defense and other protectionist tools] On October 6, a spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce responded to a reporter’s question on France and Germany’s request that the EU strengthen trade defense and other protectionist tools. Q: According to media reports, France and Germany submitted an informal document to the European Commission on October 5, requiring the EU to strengthen the use of trade defense measures and launch a number of new protectionist tools. What is China’s comment on this? A: China has noted relevant reports. China has always believed that interdependence is not a risk, convergence of interests is not a threat, and open cooperation is the right path to development. Protectionism cannot improve competitiveness, and decoupling and breaking links will only harm others and not benefit ourselves. It is hoped that France and Germany, as important global economies, can adhere to open cooperation and free trade, abide by WTO rules, and not encourage the EU to use protectionist tools at every turn, let alone politicize and pan-security economic and trade issues, and avoid taking the wrong path in the wrong way and ultimately backfire on themselves.