Chinese newspaper says EU investigation into country’s electric vehicles is “excessive” and provoked by “jealousy” By Reuters

2023-09-15 16:05:46

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BEIJING (Reuters) – China’s Global Times newspaper described Europe’s investigation into Chinese electric vehicles as “excessive” and said China’s superior offering is the envy of other carmakers.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced the investigation on Wednesday, a week after industry executives gathered at the Munich motor show complained of difficulties in competing with rivals from China.

Beijing has since criticized the investigation as a protectionist act at the expense of “fair competition” and warned that economic ties could be harmed.

In addition to Europe, automakers in Brazil, largely based in Europe, have also defended protectionist measures against rivals in Asia despite having chosen to restrict more significant investments in electric vehicles so far, preferring to continue producing largely combustion models. .

“To tell the truth, when the new Chinese electric vehicles shined at the recent 2023 International Motor Show in Germany, we heard some envious and even jealous comments, but we did not expect Europe’s response to be so ‘excessive’,” said the Global Times in an editorial.

Analysts warn that if the EU imposes duties on Chinese electric vehicles after the investigation, which could take up to 13 months to complete, China will likely impose countermeasures, hitting European industries.

“If Europe does not have the confidence and courage to conquer the market through fair competition, it will be impossible to establish competitiveness in the electric vehicle sector,” the newspaper wrote.

The investigation is expected to be the focus of talks when EU Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis visits China later this month.