“We should not be naive. We have no interest in entering into a trade war (with China),” Borrell was quoted as saying at an event this week by the South China Morning Post. “But it may be inevitable. It is in line with the logic of events.”
Borrell, who leaves office in October, noted that cheap products made in China, including electric cars, are being diverted to the European market due to higher tariff rates in the United States.
“They (the US) don’t ask our opinion when they ban Chinese cars, and they don’t ask us where these Chinese cars go if they’re not going to the US,” he said. “I’m sure they’re going to the European market, and that creates a competitive problem with our industry.”
However, Borrell said the EU should avoid a “systemic confrontation” with China. He insisted the bloc had no interest in “containing China’s rise,” saying: “Europe should not oppose China’s rise, because this rise is a reality, China… (is) at the forefront of all technology.”
On August 20, the European Commission announced its intention to impose tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. According to Brussels’ official position, the new tariffs are being implemented based on the results of an investigation into “illegal subsidies” that Beijing allegedly provides to Chinese automakers.
The Chinese Ministry of Commerce considered the European Commission’s decision a form of “unfair competition.”
Source: RT
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2024-08-22 12:27:42
