Sources: All information stated in this article is based on reliable information, and is summarized at the end of this article.
Trade tensions between China and the EU have led to tariffs on electric vehicles on the mainland following the announcement of a ban on electric vehicles in China.
The EU's small moves have been a source of concern for officials. British media: Worried about affecting the EU's food exports to China.
'Escalating' EU-China commercial dispute
Since last year, the EU has frequently challenged China's electric vehicle renewable energy industry. Just recently, the U.S. government said it planned to investigate electric vehicles made in China.
At the same time, the European Union has also begun to follow in the footsteps of the United States, also issuing regulations requiring customs to register electric vehicles imported from China.
It is clear that the United States and the European Union are leading the way to impose trade restrictions on electric vehicles on the mainland.
As we all know, since last year, the European Union has started a countervailing investigation against electric vehicles in our country.
On April 29 this year, the Financial Times also reported that if it wants to stop the influx of Chinese electric vehicles into the EU market, then the EU needs to impose higher and more huge tariffs than expected.
In order to prevent China's electric vehicles from entering the EU market, Europe can be said to do everything in it.
In addition to countervailing investigations and tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, the EU may also restrict the import of Chinese cars into the EU on so-called safety grounds in the future.
As the EU continues to increase the size of China's electric vehicles, the commercial relationship between China and the EU is becoming more and more strained.
You know, China's electric vehicles have developed rapidly in recent years. Relying on scientific and technological innovation and excellent quality, the competitiveness of China's electric vehicles is quite strong in the global market competition.
For example, Biayard, which is popular in overseas markets, according to relevant data, from 2019~2023, the market share of Chinese brands such as BYD in European electric vehicles has increased from 0.4% to 8%.
The growth of this data is very impressive, and it also shows that Chinese cars are quite popular in overseas markets.
Some studies predict that if the EU does not impose relevant restrictions on electric vehicles in China. Then by 2027, BYD and other Chinese auto brands will account for 20% of the foreign market.
In fact, one-quarter of all electric vehicles sold in the EU in 2024 will be made in China.
The EU's move is undoubtedly implementing trade protectionism, which will also hinder the development of global trade.
The British media are worried: exports to China will be affected
What is ridiculous is that the EU wants to attack China on the one hand, but on the other hand, it is worried about Chinese retaliation.
As we all know, trade between Europe and China is quite close. Among them, China is the largest importer of many food products in Europe.
However, with the introduction of a series of EU restrictions on Chinese electric vehicles, Sino-European business and trade have been affected, and many Western countries have begun to worry about the impact on China's imports of related products to Europe.
British media reported on May 5 that EU officials were lobbying China to call for the protection of agriculture, a strategic sector, from trade tensions.
EU officials cited the argument that agriculture is a sector that is strategic for security and therefore needs to be protected in particular.
It has to be said that Western countries and officials are always able to say unreasonable demands without blushing.
On the one hand, it is necessary to suppress the mainland's advantageous industries, but on the other hand, it also hopes to maintain trade between the two sides so that it can continue to make money from China.
But the reality is that the initiative in trade between China and Europe is in China's hands.
Previously, Australia's trade between Australia and China was affected because of some improper "anti-China remarks". Agricultural products, including beef and wine, have also been restricted, and these restrictions have slowed down Australia's economy.
And now that Europe is bent on suppressing China's electric vehicles, despite its close trade with China, it must also bear the consequences.
The outlook for Europe is not encouraging
In fact, for Europe today, cooperation with China is very necessary to develop itself and withdraw itself from its predicament.
Due to the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Europe is now facing multiple pressures of high inflation, high interest rates and weak external demand, which have brought the European economy to the brink of collapse.
Not only that, the United States is also stabbing in the back at this juncture, issuing favorable policies to transfer European industries to the United States and accelerate the hollowing out of European industries, which is an intractable problem for Europe.
Today, the geopolitical situation remains uncertain, and the risk of shrinking energy supply and rising energy prices remains.
For Europe, if it wants to stimulate external demand and better alleviate the predicament, the best choice is to increase trade with China.
After all, from a global perspective, only China can afford Europe's export trade. But if Europe does not take its place, the future of Europe will be bleak.
Resources:
Sino-EU trade relations are tense, and British media said that the EU is worried about affecting food exports to China - Observer.com
The EU's temporary tariffs were imposed as early as May, and the US reported that the EU would need to impose an additional 50% to "block" Chinese electric vehicles – Observer.com