Key facts
- The EU fined Alibaba Group's AliExpress €550 million.
- China's Commerce Ministry called the EU's decision discriminatory.
- Beijing also criticized a French law targeting fast-fashion retailers.
- China warned of potential retaliation against European trade barriers.
China has accused the European Union and France of implementing discriminatory trade barriers, signaling potential retaliation following the EU's decision to fine Alibaba Group's e-commerce platform, AliExpress, €550 million ($628 million).
Beijing's Commerce Ministry stated on Wednesday that it was "strongly dissatisfied" with the European Commission's ruling and called for an end to what it described as the abuse of legal discretion by European regulators. The ministry also condemned a new French law aimed at fast-fashion retailers, including Shein and Temu, characterizing it as a discriminatory measure enacted under the guise of environmental protection.
The actions by European authorities represent an escalating pressure campaign on Chinese e-commerce companies operating within the bloc.