Former European Commission president urges dialogue to prevent China-EU trade war over EV tariffs

Jose Manuel Barroso, former president of the European Commission, has emphasized the need for dialogue and cooperation between China and the European Union (EU) to avoid a potential trade war following an EU vote to impose tariffs on Chinese battery electric vehicles.

Speaking in an interview with CGTN at the just-concluded Global Cybersecurity Forum in Riyadh, Barroso expressed concern about the potential for escalating tensions.

"I hope it will not be a trade war. I hope that we keep trade open between China and Europe. At the same time, we have to recognize that there are issues and serious concerns on the European side. In terms of subsidization of industry in China, I don't think Europeans are going to take the same kind of measures that the United States announced. I think it's going to be different. Having said that, if you want to be sincere, I think we have to be cautious. We have to recognize that the global political atmosphere is not making things easier," said Barroso.

Recalling his decade-long leadership of the European Commission, Barroso emphasized the importance of constructive problem-solving and cooperation in conducting EU-China relations.

"During the time I was in the commission, I was 10 years leading the European Union. I had 10 summits with China and we were always trying to solve problems constructively. Sometimes we had disagreements, but it was overall a relationship of cooperation. Today, I'm afraid it's not the same kind of cooperation. And that's why it is important to foster dialog to avoid the escalation of the problems and try to have escalation of solutions," he said.

The European Commission announced Friday that it passed a vote to impose punitive tariffs on Chinese battery electric vehicles, sparking criticism from several European countries and auto industries who warn the move could boomerang against the European Union's (EU) competitiveness.

Though the Commission said it had secured necessary support from member states, 12 EU members abstained from the vote and five voted against the decision. Meanwhile, the Commission also highlighted the continued work between the EU and China to explore an alternative solution.

Following the EU announcement, the China Chamber of Commerce to the EU (CCCEU) expressed deep disappointment over the voting results and strong dissatisfaction with the EU's adoption of protectionist trade measures.

In a statement released on Friday, the CCCEU strongly encouraged the EU to approach the final measures with caution, delay the implementation of these tariffs, and prioritize resolving disputes and trade tensions through consultations and dialogue.

On Friday, China's Ministry of Commerce firmly opposed the draft final ruling of the EU. A spokesperson said the ministry urged the EU side to be clearly aware of the harm of imposing additional tariffs, as it will not solve any problems but only waver Chinese enterprises' confidence and resolve in and prevent them from investing in Europe.

Former European Commission president urges dialogue to prevent China-EU trade war over EV tariffs

Former European Commission president urges dialogue to prevent China-EU trade war over EV tariffs

Former European Commission president urges dialogue to prevent China-EU trade war over EV tariffs

China has made significant strides in ecological protection in recent years and has restored grasslands of an area equivalent to the size of Belgium each year since the launch of the country's 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), according to the National Forestry and Grassland Administration (NFGA).

The country has been stepping up efforts to preserve and restore its vast grasslands, which cover some 267 million hectares -- more than any other nation -- and has developed comprehensive systems for grassland monitoring, protection, restoration, law enforcement, grassland industry development, and technical support over the past few years as part of a wider environmental push.

These efforts have been bolstered by the integration of grassland conservation into the national forest management framework, leading to substantial improvements in governance and ecological outcomes.

Since the start of the 14th Five-Year Plan period four years ago, the central government has invested heavily in grassland conservation, with total funding reaching 110 billion yuan (around 15 billion U.S. dollars).

This investment has enabled the restoration of over 3 million hectares of grassland annually, while also addressing over 6 million hectares of rodent and pest infestations each year. The result has been a significant increase in grassland productivity, with an annual fresh grass yield exceeding 550 million tons.

One of the most notable achievements has been in the 'Three-North' region, an expansive area which spans across northern China and is home to the Gobi Desert. The efforts undertaken taken here have helped to effectively combat desertification and restore vital grasslands, according to Li Yongjun, director of the NFGA's grassland management department.

"In particular, the Three-North region boasts around 147 million hectares of grasslands, which serve as a crucial ecological barrier in northern China. The Horqin Sandy Land is regaining its former savannah landscape, with sparse trees dotting the grassy plains. Meanwhile, the sand sources in the northern upwind positions of Beijing and Tianjin have significantly decreased, making the national ecological security barrier more robust," he said.

China restores grassland area equivalent to size of Belgium each year amid ecological protection push