China is seeking a “mutually acceptable solution” in the dispute over the special tariffs imposed by the European Union (EU) on Chinese electric cars, as the Chinese ambassador to Germany, Deng Hongbo, explains in a guest article for the FAZ (Monday edition). The EU had introduced special tariffs on imports of Chinese electric cars to protect the domestic auto industry, a measure that China sees as opaque and damaging to global supply chains.
China’s ambassador calls for a negotiated solution
Deng HongboChinese ambassador to Germany, emphasized in his guest article that his country is committed to “resolving differences at the negotiating table.” He also highlighted the intertwining of the automotive industries of China and Europe, arguing that “neither can do without the other”.
The EU had imposed special tariffs of up to 35 percent on imported Chinese electric cars in order to protect the European car industry from massive competition from China. The Chinese automotive industry is widely believed to benefit greatly from government support, which has led the majority of EU countries to take this measure.
China’s contradiction to EU accusations
However, in his post, the Chinese ambassador denied these allegations, arguing that China’s strength in the electric car industry is “not the result of government subsidies, as stated by the EU, but the result of technological innovation, complete supply chains and free competition.” He added that Chinese industry sees the EU process as “highly opaque” and claims it deviates from World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and common practice. He warned that protectionism was damaging the interests of EU consumers and destabilizing the global car industry’s supply chains.
Germany’s position and China’s demand
Deng highlighted that Germany voted against the special tariffs and described this as a “fact-based, rational decision”. He also appealed to Germany to cooperate with China on this matter: “As large manufacturing and trading nations, we should work together for an open global economy and inclusive globalization and take concrete action against protectionism and decoupling.”
✨ edited by AI, November 3, 2024 6:13 p.m.
