Despite sharing a common enemy in the trade war between U.S. President Donald Trump and his, China and the EU seem unable to get along.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday that there is a need for a “real rebalancing” in China-Europe relations. Her comments cast a shadow at the upcoming China EU summit, both sides aim to address issues concerning geopolitical and economic issues.
exist Her commentsVon der Leyen criticized China’s flooding strategy, namely flooding the “global market” as a “reducing international competition” and complained that European products “systemally discriminated” in China.
Beijing fight back “What needs to be rebalanced now is the European mentality,” he said on Wednesday.
Von der Leyen’s remarks follow the trade dispute over government procurement of medical equipment.
Sunday, China Announce It will stop buying European medical equipment with contracts of more than $6.3 million. It will also limit access to non-EU companies, which are more than half of the contract value of non-EU companies from imported EU components. China’s Ministry of Commerce says the measures are “reciprocal” in retaliation against the EU The decision in mid-June The contract to stop purchasing medical equipment made in China is worth more than $5.8 million.
At the time, Brussels called their decision a “response proportional to China’s obstacles.” An European Commission investigation previously concluded that China unfairly excluded European medical devices from Chinese government contracts.
Although the United States and Donald Trump dominate global headlines, this is the latest trade trade action between China and Europe.
On Friday, Beijing imposed Anti-dumping tax In European Brandy, French company Jas Hennessy earned the highest 34.9%. China has also threatened to impose tariffs on European dairy and pork products.
Beijing’s trade measures were implemented in the European Commission Counter compensation tariffs In October, a long investigation into whether Chinese electric vehicle companies have received unfair state support from Beijing on electric vehicles made in China.
Why can’t China not the European Court of Justice?
U.S. President Donald Trump aims for tariffs. Currently, the U.S. tariffs on China are 55%, the highest in any country.
When entering the United States, European goods face 10% tariffs, with higher tariffs on specific goods such as steel, aluminum and automobiles. On April 2, Trump imposed a 20% “reciprocal” tariff on the EU and has since been suspended for negotiations.
In theory, the pressure from the United States should drive new trading links for economic development: if the U.S. market is closed, then Chinese companies can turn to the European market and vice versa.
But in reality, Beijing and Brussels find it difficult to establish common ground. Beijing It is reported that some plans will be repealed The two-day China EU summit.
“We need a real rebalancing: less market distortion, excessive overcapacity exports from China, and fairness to European companies in China, mutual access,” von der Leyen said on Tuesday. “We hope to see tangible progress in our long-standing request for market access.”
One flash point is China’s control over rare earths. These minerals are key to electronic components and batteries and have become new flash points in trade relations. China, earlier this year Slap controls On any rare earth export, including exports with other countries other than U.S. China Customs Data show In May, exports of rare earths to Europe fell by more than 80%.
Another problem is that China may flood European markets with cheap exports. European Leader Criticize China “Overcapacity” may rely on manufacturing to exceed manufacturing where China’s economy can absorb economic growth. These exports must go into somewhere and are therefore abandoned in overseas markets like Europe.
Europe and China also disagree on other issues How to deal with it Russia invaded Ukraine.
Other economies, such as those in Asia Anti-dumping tariffs Oppose Chinese products, such as steel.
