Norway is not part of the European Union's trade policy in terms of imposing tariffs on Chinese new energy vehicles (NEVs) because tariffs often trigger retaliation and will benefit no one, said Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store in an interview with China Media Group on Tuesday.
In an interview on a high-speed train from Beijing to Shanghai, Store said Norwegian consumers should have access to all cars they wish to buy.
In the coming weeks, the EU countries are going to decide whether to impose additional tariffs on Chinese NEVs and Norway has decided not to join EU in doing that.
Store explained the rationale behind the Norwegian government's decision.
"Norway is not a member of the European Union, but we are closely associated with an agreement with the European market. So, we are not part of the European Union's trade policy. That's one reason why we are not part of this. Secondly, I think in general, one should not wish to have any of these kinds of tariffs because they are punitive tariffs, and they often trigger retaliation, and we all stand back losing from it. We don't produce cars. We are not part of this trade policy. And I don't want to put an extra burden on Norwegian consumers. They should have access to cars that they wish to buy," said Store.
He noted that electric cars now account for about 90 percent of all new cars sold in Norway.
The prime minister paid an official visit to China from Sept. 9 to 11, during which Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and top legislator Zhao Leji met with him respectively in Beijing.
PM Store on Norway not joining EU in EV tariffs
PM Store on Norway not joining EU in EV tariffs
PM Store on Norway not joining EU in EV tariffs
Representatives of many countries to the United States have expressed the hope for a full implementation of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement.
The agreement, brokered by Qatar, Egypt and the United States, came into effect in Gaza on Sunday. The three-phase agreement is aimed at a "permanent ceasefire between the parties", according to the mediators.
At a UN Security Council meeting held on Monday, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres praised the conclusion of the agreement between Palestine and Israel of the ceasefire and the exchange of detained persons, but stressed that efforts are still needed to ensure a comprehensive ceasefire, release all detained persons and increase humanitarian assistance.
Varsen Aghabekian, state minister for foreign affairs and expatriates of Palestine, said in her speech that the Palestinian side hopes the ceasefire agreement could be implemented and that the Palestinian government is ready to resume management in Gaza.
"We confirm that the Palestinian Government is ready to work with friendly brotherly countries and organizations to assume responsibility for the administration of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including restoring basic health, education, water and electricity services, ensuring the return of displaced persons to their homes, and preparing for the reconstruction phase," she said.
Right before the meeting, several representatives to the United Nations spoke to China Media Group (CMG) and what they said the most was hoping that the implementation of the agreement could hold all the way through.
"It would be good if it holds," said Vasily Alekseyevich Nebenzya, permanent representative of Russia to the United Nations.
"We welcome it so far. We hope it holds and we hope that the next steps will be taken," said Munir Akram, a Pakistani diplomat currently serving for the second time as the permanent representative of Pakistan to the UN.
"We had supported the deal some time ago," said Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, permanent representative of Guyana to the UN.
Representatives to UN hope for smooth implementation of Gaza ceasefire agreement