THE European Commission’s latest move to push forward its proposal to impose controversial punitive tariffs on Chinese battery electric vehicles (EVs) despite internal divisions reveals a deep-seated protectionist impulse that threatens to undermine decades of cooperation between China and the European Union (EU).
Instead of fostering cooperation, these tariffs risk sparking a trade conflict that could harm not only China-EU relations but also Europe’s own ambition for a green transition. The decision, made amidst internal discord, has exposed the fragility of the EU’s so-called consensus. As reported by Euronews, 12 member states abstained from the vote, five opposed the measure, and only ten voted in favour — hardly the unified front the Commission would like to project. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban warns that the EU’s decision to launch an anti-subsidy investigation against Chinese automakers could escalate into an “economic cold war”.
This sentiment is echoed by Finnish foreign ministry official Jukka Kuurma, who questions the evidence of harm to the EU and the wisdom of such tariffs.
Xinhua
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