Political and business figures in France and Poland have voiced opposition to the EU's provisional tariffs on electric vehicles (EVs) imported from China, emphasizing the need for Europe to shift away from perceiving China as a systemic rival and instead embrace China's advanced EV technologies to propel Europe's green transformation.
The European Commission announced on Thursday its decision to impose provisional countervailing duties, ranging from 17.4 percent to 37.6 percent, on imports of battery electric vehicles from China starting Friday.
Jacques Cheminade, chairman of the French political party Solidarity and Progress, said Europe should engage in trade negotiations with China as a partner rather than a competitor under the principles of equality and mutual benefit.
"Now, the European Commission, and Ursula von der Leyen in particular, perceives China as a systemic and technological rival. And in this context, tariff issues will arise. If we went to tariff war, it would be a disaster for everyone," Cheminade said.
Francois Marion, senior vice-president of group communications and investor relations at French automotive supplier Valeo, spoke highly of the exceptional performance and advanced technologies of Chinese EVs. He earnestly hopes that the development of the EV industry can surmount external factors and limitations, ultimately bringing benefits to consumers across the globe.
"There's a real desire for EVs among some consumers, and it's also crucial for the planet to prioritize electric mobility. As a supplier of EV technology, we have a deep understanding of Chinese EVs, which are highly advanced. And some of the technologies they possess are truly interesting," Marion said.
Janusz Piechocinski, former Minister of the Economy and Deputy Prime Minister of Poland, expresses a pessimistic outlook regarding the imposition of EU tariffs on Chinese EVs and emphasizes the importance of avoiding a trade war between China and Europe.
"I'm deeply pessimistic about the prospects of imposing tariffs on Chinese EVs. What we need is not a trade war, but rather a focus on improving efficiency and skills and reducing costs. The EU made such a hasty decision," Piechocinski said.
French, Polish figures oppose EU tariffs, urging embracing Chinese EVs for green transformation
