London
CNN
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The European Union has launched investigations into two teams of firms that embrace Chinese language photo voltaic panel makers within the newest salvo in opposition to what it suspects is unfair competitors from China’s huge manufacturing sector.
The European Fee, the EU’s government arm, mentioned Wednesday that it will assess whether or not overseas subsidies enabled the 2 consortia to submit “unduly” aggressive gives when bidding for a contract to construct and function a photo voltaic park in Romania partly funded by EU cash.
The 2 teams embrace subsidiaries of China’s LONGi Inexperienced Power Expertise Co. and Shanghai Electrical Group Co., a state-owned enterprise.
“There are enough indications that each (consortia) have been granted overseas subsidies that distort the interior (EU) market,” the European Fee mentioned in a statement.
The brand new investigations observe an EU probe into China’s state assist for its electric vehicle makers and allegations by European biodiesel producers that China has been “dumping” the renewable gasoline into the EU market — that’s, exporting it at artificially low costs. The European Fee has mentioned it could impose tariffs on Chinese language biodiesel imports if dumping is confirmed.
Like biodiesel, photo voltaic panels are an vital a part of Europe’s efforts to transition to an financial system powered by clear applied sciences.
Commissioner Thierry Breton, accountable for the EU’s inside market, mentioned within the assertion Wednesday that photo voltaic panels are “strategically vital” for Europe — particularly, “for our clear vitality manufacturing, jobs… and safety of provide.”
Jens Eskelund, president of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, voiced a broader concern final month, telling reporters: “Europe can not simply settle for that strategically viable industries constituting the European industrial base are being priced out of the market.”
China, for its half, is just not backing down.
Final month, Premier Li Qiang advised the nation’s parliament that China would concentrate on exporting extra of its “new trio” of merchandise, particularly electrical autos, photo voltaic panels and lithium batteries.
And, in January, China opened its personal anti-dumping investigation into brandy imports from the EU.