The top trade official of China warned the European Union about protectionism on Friday. He said China was confused by EU investigations into exports of green technology and the EU’s worries that they might harm their own solar panel, wind turbine, and electric vehicle industries.
Wang Wentao is travelling through Europe for discussions about the European Commission’s investigation into whether China’s electric vehicle industry has benefited from unfair subsidies.
“We fail to understand how the EU commission carries the banner of sustainable and green development and then takes protectionist actions, thereby in effect generating more and more risks,” Wang said during a trade and business conference in the northern Italian city of Verona.
He cited the EU’s investigations into Chinese electric cars, solar panels and wind turbines as examples
“We must oppose unilateralism and protectionism and protect the global supply chain,” the minister said.
Earlier this week, Wang met with French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire during his visit to France.
Also during the same week, Brussels initiated a preliminary examination to investigate potential market distortions caused by Chinese wind turbine manufacturers. The EU is stepping up the pressure on Chinese cleantech investments that are squeezing out its local suppliers amid the bloc’s efforts to transform into a green economy.
The bloc is already probing Chinese involvement in wind parks in a slew of member states including Spain, Greece, France and the US. It can order fines, suspend tenders or even prevent take-over of firms if there is evidence of unfair subsidies.
A Chinese company recently pulled out of a Bulgarian railway tender after an EU investigation got underway. Earlier, there was a Chinese bid for a Romanian solar park, prompting an EU probe. The bloc has been at the receiving end of China’s dominance in solar panels manufacturing, and is fighting back by focusing on wind energy and unfair trade practices.
With Inputs from Reuters
