BERLIN, Nov 1: US Trade Representative Robert Zoellick said on Friday the European Union should form a united front with the United States in pressing China to open up its markets to international trade.

This is a challenge to the United States and the European Union working together, Zoellick said in a speech to the American Chamber of Commerce in Berlin.

Not just as a matter of manoeuvring for commercial advantage — we have long learned that the Chinese are masters at playing off one ‘barbarian’ against the other — but for the opportunity to help China become a constructive partner in the international economic system, he said.

Zoellick was in China last week to press Beijing to offer wider access to its markets and for action on issues such as rampant counterfeiting of products ranging from medicines to music, films and software.—Reuters