The electric vehicle market is abuzz with news of proposed tariff rate reductions for key players. Tesla is set to benefit significantly with its rate lowered to 7.8 per cent from 9 per cent, making it the big winner once again. Chinese firms SAIC and Geely are also poised for tariff reductions, with rates dropping from 36.3 per cent to 35.3 per cent and from 19.3 per cent to 18.8 per cent, respectively. These adjustments come in addition to the 10 per cent base tariff imposed by the EU on all EV imports. This development follows intense negotiations between Chinese…

Online hearings were held this week with prominent car companies like BYD, Geely, and SAIC, along with the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products (CCCME). The proposals discussed are reminiscent of a previous trade agreement concerning Chinese solar panel imports, where minimum prices were set to avoid undercutting local market rates. The European Commission is evaluating these proposals, which have been met with skepticism due to their voluntary nature. Past experiences with similar agreements, like the failed solar panel resolution, raise doubts about the effectiveness of such deals. Despite the uncertainty, Chinese companies…

European Union diplomats were denied access to a Suzhou courtroom where Chinese human rights advocates Yu Wensheng and Xu Yan were on trial. The advocates were detained on their way to meet EU officials in Beijing. The denial of access was condemned by the EU as undermining trust in due process in China. Yu Wensheng, a prominent human rights lawyer, was detained in 2023 and is facing trial in Suzhou. The EU has called for his and Xu Yan’s immediate release. Yu had previously spent time in prison for advocating constitutional reforms in China. His recent detention, along with other…

Two years after a UN report suggested that Chinese government policies in Xinjiang could be considered crimes against humanity, the UN’s human rights office still finds problematic laws and policies in place in the region. Despite detailed exchanges with Beijing, limited access to information and fear of reprisals hinder progress. The office called for a review and strengthening of protections for minorities in Xinjiang. The situation was revisited on the report’s second anniversary, affirming that human rights violations, including torture, need thorough investigation. While the US and EU have taken action against forced labor in Xinjiang, the situation remains dire.…

China’s probe into European dairy, brandy, and pork is seen as retaliation for proposed EU anti-subsidy duties on Chinese-made electric vehicles. Farmers like Duffy, who exports dairy to China, and Drennan, the ICMSA president, feel caught in the crossfire of a trade war. The EU is facing pressure to vote on whether to adopt EV tariffs for five years, with China’s actions escalating tensions. In a bid to sway votes, China has targeted key EU member states and auto supply chain players, including Germany and Sweden. However, the EU remains confident it has the necessary support to impose the tariffs.…

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen took a tough stance on China during her first term, cracking down on subsidies and promoting economic security. Her manifesto for a second term emphasized the need to de-risk rather than decouple from China to protect Europe’s economy. The shift in EU-China relations was driven by issues like the EU-China investment deal falling apart due to the pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Von der Leyen’s strong stance against China’s economic policies led to a push for tougher trade measures and probes into Chinese industries. However, challenges remain, with member states skeptical of…

China’s envoy to the EU, Cai Jian, faces a challenging time as he steps into the role amidst strained relations between the EU and China due to Beijing’s alleged support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Cai will have to navigate escalating trade disputes, including EU tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. Previously stationed in Israel during tensions with Palestine, Cai now enters a diplomatic fray between China, the EU, and Russia. The former ambassador to Israel faced pressure over China’s support for Palestinians and even helped secure the release of a kidnapped Israeli-Chinese woman. As Cai steps into his new role,…

A senior official unveiled shocking details about Chinese subsidies in the entire supply chain, sparking predictions of a potential trade war. From lithium refining to EV transportation, every aspect receives government support. Chinese companies are reeling from the revelation, with one firm considering switching to hybrid vehicles for European markets. The EU faced backlash from China for unilateral actions against EV exports, citing distortion of markets due to Chinese state subsidies. The investigation focused on three major Chinese EV exporters, determining duties based on subsidies they received. SAIC faced the highest duty for non-compliance, while BYD and Geely cooperated for…

According to the bloc’s foreign affairs spokeswoman, Nabila Massrali, a group of officials from the European External Action Service will be visiting Tibet as part of an organised side visit by Chinese authorities. The long-running EU-China exchange had been an annual fixture in the diplomatic calendar for years. Photo: Shutterstock The EU delegation, led by Paola Pampaloni, will be one of the rare European groups granted access to the secluded region of Tibet, known for human rights issues. The Chinese government has been accused of violating human rights in Tibet, including practices like obligatory boarding schooling and DNA sampling. An…

Chinese businesses are seeking legal advice after the European Commission decided to impose tariffs without prior communication, a departure from EU norms. The rate of the tariffs, originally expected to be revealed on June 5, has been delayed sparking outrage in Beijing. The investigation, initiated in October, has significant implications for the automotive industry and trade relations between the EU and China. The EU’s Green Deal and efforts to combat climate change add complexity to the decision-making process. Experts anticipate a potential trade war and economic impact, with a balance needed between protecting domestic industries and reducing carbon emissions. The…