2023-09-13 12:15:19
The Trade Commissioner will go to China next week “to discuss trade and economic opportunities and challenges”.
The President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen announced on Wednesday the opening of an investigation into Chinese public subsidies for electric automobiles, in order to defend the European industry in the face of “artificially low price». «Global markets are now flooded with cheap Chinese electric cars, the price of which is kept artificially low by massive government subsidies», Said Ursula von der Leyen, in a speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
«Europe is open to competition. Not a race to the bottom», Launched the German official, receiving loud applause. Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis immediately announced that he would visit China next week.to discuss business and economic opportunities and challenges», in a message posted on X (formerly Twitter).
“Dialogue with China”
France in particular has been pushing in recent months for a Europe that asserts itself more in the face of practices deemed protectionist by China. But other member countries, like Germany, which rely more on international trade, fear offending Beijing.
European companiesare often beaten on price by competitors benefiting from enormous public subsidies. We have not forgotten how much our solar industry has suffered from China’s unfair trade practices», declared the president of the European executive. Ursula von der Leyen, however, pleaded for a “dialogue» with Beijing.
«We must defend ourselves against unfair practices. But it is equally essential to keep our lines of communication open and continue our dialogue with China. Because there are also subjects on which we can and must cooperate“, she said. “Risk reduction, not decoupling“, she insisted.
One step ahead of Europe
The French government is preparing a reform of subsidies for electric cars in France, which should soon be subject to a “environmental score» likely to limit Chinese imports. The French Minister of the Economy Bruno Le Maire recently pleaded for “evolve» European rules so that the EU better defends its interests.
At the end of August he wished for a “European bonus reserved for industrial products with European content», during a meeting in Paris with French bosses. “This is what China does, this is what the United States does, this is what I still can’t do in Europe because of European standards“, he regretted.
China has long relied on electric engines in automobiles and has taken a lead over Europe, particularly in battery technologies. Its manufacturers rely on their immense domestic market, the first in the world, to now conquer Europe thanks to the strong economies of scale from which they benefit.
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