The Guardian-EU restates readiness to launch trade war with China over cheap imports
May 6, 2024 4 min 735 words
西方媒体的这篇报道主要内容是：欧盟委员会主席乌尔苏拉冯德莱恩在与中国国家主席习近平会晤后表示，欧盟准备好与中国发起贸易战，以保护欧盟产业和就业岗位免受中国廉价电动车钢铁太阳能和风能技术进口的冲击。冯德莱恩称，中国产业受到国家补贴，导致其产品价格低廉，威胁到欧洲的就业岗位，欧盟将在这方面做出强硬决定以保护欧盟经济和安全。报道还提到了中美之间的贸易关系乌克兰战争以及中国在其中的调解角色。 评论：这篇报道体现出西方媒体一贯的偏见，即以欧美为中心戴着有色眼镜看待中国。报道中，西方记者刻意突出贸易不平衡问题，指责中国产品威胁欧盟就业，却无视中国产品的价格优势可能给欧盟消费者带来的福利，以及中国作为制造业大国对全球产业链的贡献。此外，报道中还夹杂着对中国人权和外交政策的影射，试图将经济议题政治化。该报道罔顾事实混淆视听，是典型的西方意识形态驱动下的偏见性报道。欧盟方面应该意识到，贸易战没有赢家，合作才是互惠互利的选择。
The EU has restated its readiness to launch a trade war with China over imports of cheap electric cars, steel and cheap solar and wind technology, with Ursula von der Leyen saying the bloc will “not waver” from protecting industries and jobs after a meeting with the Chinese president, Xi Jinping.
The European Commission chief said she was “convinced that if the competition is fair” from China, then Europe “will have thriving durable economies”.
But she said the “imbalances” caused by state support for Chinese industry leading to cut-cost products threatened jobs in Europe, and that was “a matter of great concern”.
“Europe will not waver from making tough decisions needed to protect its economy and security,” she said.
Her warning, came less than two hours after a cordial meeting at the Élysée Palace between the Chinese president and Emmanuel Macron, his French counterpart.
Xi Jinping and Macron used their opening remarks to express a mutual desire for good relations.
As “two important forces in the world” Xi said “both of us should adhere to the position of partnership, adhere to dialogue and cooperation” with “strategic collaboration” to promote “stable and healthy development” and “contribute to world peace and development”.
The EU’s more robust stance on trade with China dovetails with Washington’s approach.
The US treasury secretary, Janet Yellen, has warned China that Washington would not accept new industries being “decimated” by Chinese imports.
After the trilateral meeting, von der Leyen was blunt but insisted China had time to change direction.
She said they had an “honest and open exchange and discussion where we see eye to eye and on points where we have differences”.
Together with Macron they spoke about the geopolitical situation and how both the EU and China had a “shared interest in peace and security” with a strong role to play in relation to the war in Ukraine.
There has been repeated talk of China acting as a peace broker although it is not expected to attend a planned peace conference in Switzerland.
Von der Leyen praised Xi for the “important role” he played in “de-escalating Russia’s irresponsible nuclear threats“ and said the EU counted on China “to use all its influence on Russia” to end the war.
But it appeared on Monday that tensions on the economic front show no sign of abating with several EU investigations ongoing into China’s ability to undercut EU rivals in cars, steel, wind turbines, solar panels and medical devices.
Last September, von der Leyen announced an investigation into alleged state support for the Chinese electric cars, with conglomerate BYD launching an EV last year in the EU market at under €30,000 (£25,700).
And last month the competition commissioner, Margrethe Vestager, announced the EU would use its foreign subsidies regulation to launch an inquiry into Chinese wind turbine manufacturers.
Von der Leyen said “subsidised products such as electric vehicles or, for example, steel, are flooding the European market.
“Our market is and remains open to fair competition and to investments. But it is not good for Europe if it harms our security and makes us vulnerable
“Europe cannot accept the market-distorting practices that could lead to deindustrialisation here at home,” she added.
EU manufacturers have complained that not only is the price for Chinese wind turbines up to 50% lower than homegrown ones but that they are offering authorities general terms including deferred payment schemes.
The EU has been arguing that it is the largest free market in the world and China is essentially abusing its economic hospitality by dumping product in Europe rather than damping down production or ramping up demand in China.
Beijing argues that EU manufacturers have access to an even bigger market in China and with a global demand for green tech growing everyone can flourish together.
Green tech companies have protested that while they once had a lead on producing wind turbines and solar panels they are now being put out of business by China.
Earlier on Monday, MEP Raphaël Glucksmann, the lead socialist candidate in France in the upcoming EU elections, said: “We used to have solar panel champions in France and Europe. Today, how many companies produce solar panels in France? There’s only one left.”
He also urged Macron to be firm with Xi over the plight of Uyghers in China’s Xinjiang region.