Wojciechowski: Agrifood sector should be spared from EU-China trade tensions

Agrifood products should be kept out of the current EU-China trade tensions as the Asian giant is a key partner for the sector, EU Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski told Euractiv.

“China is a very important partner for the EU, [the] third partner for our exports,” Wojciechowski said on the sidelines of an event at Euractiv, adding that despite the positive trade balance with Beijing, there is room to increase the value of EU exports there.  
Following the Chinese Commerce Ministry’s threat to retaliate against possible EU duties on electric cars by hitting the bloc’s agriculture, Wojciechowski said food should be excluded from the current tensions in other economic sectors and not fall victim to political rifts.  

The Commissioner talked about the role of agri-food trade in ensuring food security, a concept that has gained traction in EU circles in recent years. 

Asked about food diplomacy and the perception of EU food products in Asian markets, Wojciechowski spoke of food trade as an exchange of culture and heritage.   

 [Edited by Angelo Di Mambro and Zoran Radosavljevic]