China has criticized the European Union's planned steel tariff quota policy, set to take effect on July 1, calling it a form of trade protectionism.

Chinese Commerce Ministry spokesperson He Yadong said the measure would not improve the EU's steel industry competitiveness and could seriously disrupt China-EU steel trade and global supply chains.

He noted that China and the EU are currently negotiating within the WTO framework and expressed hope for a mutually beneficial outcome. However, he warned that China would take necessary measures if Chinese companies and products are treated unfairly.

Under the new policy, the EU will cut its steel import quota by 47% to 18.3 million tons, while tariffs on imports exceeding the quota will rise from 25% to 50%.