EU’s Subsidy Investigations Cause Strain on Chinese-European Cooperation, Says China

China has accused the European Union of protectionism and reckless distortion of the definition of subsidies in response to a new EU investigation into Chinese wind turbine makers. The Commerce Ministry stated that the European side’s actions are a protectionist act that harms fair competition.

The investigation, opened by the European Union, will look into whether Chinese subsidies are giving wind turbine companies an unfair advantage in the competition for projects in five member countries. This move comes as part of a series of investigations against Chinese companies announced in the past two months under a new EU regulation.

The China Chamber of Commerce to the EU described the investigations as economic coercion that undermines the EU’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The EU commissioner for competition, Margrethe Vestager, defended the investigations, stating that they are necessary to ensure fair competition.

China believes that the investigations are targeting Chinese companies and undermining confidence in investing and trading in Europe. The Commerce Ministry statement also highlighted concerns about the impact on global efforts to combat climate change.

The issue of unfair trade practices and competition from Chinese companies has become increasingly important, with calls for a level playing field in the market. German industry representatives have expressed concerns about the impact of inexpensive Chinese goods on European industries and the need for politicians to find a balance in addressing these challenges.

As tensions between China and the EU continue to rise, the outcome of the investigations and the response from both sides will be closely watched by industry stakeholders and policymakers.