EU Climate VP is looking for ‘fair competition’ with China on green energy
The European Union is looking for “honest competition” with China and not a race to the bottom in wages and environmental standards, the vice president of the block told AFP in Beijing on Monday.
There are deep frictions about economic relations between the 27-country block and China.
Brussels is concerned that a production leak that is propelled by massive state subsidies could contribute to a yawn trade shortage and result in a stream of cheap Chinese goods that undermine European companies.
During a visit to Beijing before a large EU-China summit in the city this month, Teresa Ribera rejected China’s claims that the “Protectionism” block was busy.
“WE Europeans do not want to lower a race in the direction of low incomes, lower labor rights or lower environmental standards,” said Ribera, who also acts as the head of the block.
“It is clear that we could not be in a good position if there could be a … flood in our markets that could undermine us with prices that do not reflect the actual costs,” she said.
In October, the EU imposed extra import tax to 35 percent on the import of Chinese electric vehicles in October and investigated manufacturers of Chinese owners.
Asked if EU moves to Chinese green energy companies could harm the global transition to renewable energy sources, said Ribera that she accepted that “it is fair to say that, yes, we can benefit in the short term” from cheaper import.
However, she also warned “it could kill the possibility” of long -term investments in the future of the block.
– ‘Lack of ambition’ –
Ribera also met the Chinese Vice Prime Minister Ding Xuexiang on Monday for a round table discussion.
She warned to open comments that “the possible lack of ambition due to large emitters is a concern for the international community and our citizens” and called for major action.
Thing in turn greeted China’s “participation in worldwide environmental management”.
And at a later press conference, Ribera praised the “deep and positive conversation” with Chinese officials.
But, she added, there was “great room for improvement”.
“To improve, we must identify the points of worries that come from each side,” she said.
A solution for trade tensions that are fueled by the concerns of Brussels about the Chinese industrial overcapacity “, she added – but” not today “.
– worldwide disruption –
Ribera’s visit comes when China tries to improve relations with the EU as a counterweight to the rival of the superpower, the United States, whose President Donald Trump disrupted the global order and has taken Washington from an international climate agreement.
“I don’t think we have seen many occasions in the past, where a large economy, a large country, decides to isolate in such a relevant way,” Ribera told AFP.
“It’s a shame … The Chinese may think that the United States has given them a great opportunity to be much more relevant in the international arena.”
The visit also comes when the block and the United States wind over a trade agreement. Trump threw on Saturday months of negotiations in disorder due to the threat of radical rates on the block if no agreement was reached by 1 August.
Ribera promised on Monday that the EU “would defend the interests of our companies, our society, our company”.
Asked if a deal was in sight, she said, “Who knows? We do our best.”
However, she stated that the EU-digital competitive rules-very-end by Trump was not on the table as “non-rate barriers” for acting.
“It’s a matter of sovereignty,” said Ribera.
“We are not going to compromise the way we … our citizens and our society, our values and our market defend.”
