China's Minister of Commerce: the accusations of "overcapacity" from the US and EU are baseless.
Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao's in Paris right now, talking over the EU's probe into subsidies for China's electric car sector. The EU is investigating whether big names like BYD, Geely, and SAIC got unfair boosts from subsidies, with France backing the investigation. China's hitting back with its own checks into French brandy. BYD Europe's boss Michael Shu, along with folks from SAIC and Geely, are with Wang on this trip. There's buzz that China's President Xi Jinping will swing by France next month, and trade will be big on their agenda. Wang's visit is setting the stage for Xi, showing China's ready to chat about the subsidy issues.
On April 7th, Wang caught up with Renault's CEO Luca de Meo, who's also filling in as the head of the European car makers' group. Later, he was the guest of honour at a dinner thrown by the French beauty industry bigwigs. The next day, he's slated to meet France's Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire, and also chat with the folks from the National Interprofessional Bureau of Cognac and other company leaders. Then, on the 12th, he's off to Italy to keep talking about the subsidy situation with the Italian government. He's also lined up to join the Italy-China business forum in Verona on the 19th with Italy's Foreign Minister.
Interestingly, just before his sit-down with Le Maire, Wang led a roundtable with Chinese electric car companies in Europe and didn't hold back in a press release. He outright rejected the EU and France's claims that China's electric vehicle success is all down to state subsidies and the allegation of "overcapacity.", emphasizing that China’s success in EV is based on continuous technological innovation, a complete production and supply chain system, and full market competition. He vowed the Chinese government would "actively support companies in protecting their legitimate rights and interests." This indicates that the Chinese government maintains a strong stance on trade friction issues related to electric vehicles with the EU and shows no signs of yielding. Additionally, by including the United States in his statement, Wang indirectly responded to the "overcapacity" issues frequently raised by U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who was visiting China at the time.
Minister Wang Wentao chaired a roundtable for Chinese electric vehicle companies in EU.
On April 7th, Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao hosted the roundtable for Chinese electric vehicle companies in Europe in Paris, France. Representatives from over ten companies, including the EU-China Chamber of Commerce, Geely, SAIC Motor, BYD, and Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL), attended the meeting. The representatives shared their experiences investing and operating in the EU and responding to the EU's anti-subsidy investigations on electric vehicles. The meeting focused on optimising Chinese companies' global layout and deepening practical cooperation between China and the EU in the electric vehicle industry.
Wang Wentao stated that the rapid development of Chinese electric vehicle companies is not based on subsidies but on continuous technological innovation, a complete production and supply chain system, and full market competition. The accusations of "overcapacity" from the US and EU are baseless. The development of China's electric vehicle industry has significantly contributed to the global response to climate change and the green, low-carbon transition. The Chinese government will actively support companies in maintaining their legitimate rights and interests.
Wang Wentao pointed out that in the face of external challenges and uncertainties, companies should strengthen their internal skills, adhere to innovation-driven strategies, enhance risk management, focus on green development, deepen cooperation with local businesses for mutual development, and steadfastly become participants and contributors to the global green transition.
The representatives expressed their gratitude for the Ministry of Commerce's strong support for their development and international expansion. They committed to continuing technological innovation, adhering to open cooperation, practising fair competition, actively addressing trade frictions, and achieving mutual benefits and win-win results through pragmatic cooperation with European partners.
王文涛部长主持召开在欧中资电动汽车企业圆桌会
4月7日,商务部部长王文涛在法国巴黎主持召开在欧中资电动汽车企业圆桌会。欧盟中国商会和吉利、上汽、比亚迪、宁德时代等十余家企业代表参加会议。与会代表介绍了在欧投资经营、应对欧盟电动汽车反补贴调查有关情况,会议围绕中国企业优化全球布局、深化中欧电动汽车产业务实合作等进行交流。
王文涛表示,中国电动汽车企业依靠持续技术创新、完善的产供链体系和充分的市场竞争快速发展,不是依靠补贴取得竞争优势,美欧等关于“产能过剩”的指责毫无依据。中国电动汽车产业的发展为全球应对气变和绿色低碳转型作出了重要贡献。中国政府将积极支持企业维护自身合法权益。
王文涛指出,面对外部挑战和不确定性,企业要练好内功,坚持创新驱动,加强风险管理,重视绿色发展,与当地企业深化合作、共谋发展,坚定做全球绿色转型的参与者和贡献者。
与会代表表示,感谢商务部一直以来对企业发展和出海的大力支持,将持续推进科技创新,坚持开放合作,践行公平竞争,积极应对贸易摩擦,通过与欧洲伙伴的务实合作实现互利共赢。