The European Union's push for punitive tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) runs against the bloc's process in achieving sustainable development goals, said an economist from a world top business school based in Madrid, noting that the EU should opt for cooperation with China.
The European Commission -- the executive arm of the 27-nation EU -- approved a decision to impose tariffs on Chinese EVs after a pivotal vote on Friday, even after the bloc's largest economy and major car producer Germany rejected them.
Felix Valdivieso, chairman of the IE China Center under the IE Business School, said that it's impossible for the EU to achieve its sustainable development goals relying solely on its domestically produced EVs.
He stressed the need for the bloc to work in cooperation with China.
"The most crucial matter today is to implement the agenda of sustainable development, in which electric vehicles play a significant role. Currently, China's development in the electric vehicle market is remarkable, excelling beyond comparison. Therefore, I believe there exists a situation where commercial trade and sustainable development goals are not aligning appropriately," said Valdivieso.
EU tariff hikes on Chinese EVs run against sustainable development goals: economist
Sao Paulo has embraced the first of 14 five-car trainsets that China's e-vehicle brand BYD is supplying for the city's long-awaited monorail project.
Being plagued by delays, the construction for Sao Paulo's Monorail Gold Line was supposed to be finished for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. According to the government, the monorail will start running in the first half of 2026, more than a decade beyond the original plan.
"Let's see if it finally happens this time. It's already been ten years since it was supposed to be finished. Let's see if it will help the people at last. It would make my commute much easier. Here in Sao Paulo at any time of the day, you'll hit a traffic jam somewhere," said Matheus Brandao, TV camera operator.
All the trains that will service this line are manufactured in China, each of which are composed of five cars with a total capacity of 600 passengers.
Tyler Lee, president of BYD Brazil, said that the latest technologies are duly incorporated into their design.
"For this train, we don't have a driver. Like I said, it's totally automatic. And with the air suspension, passengers will feel comfortable taking this kind of train," he said.
As China continues to emerge in the field of new energy, the Brazilian government is eagerly seeking new cooperation opportunities.
Tarcisio de Freitas, Sao Paulo Governor, highly appraised the impressive performance demonstrated by Chinese companies.
"This opens the door to other investments, as we have the ambition in our government plan to greatly expand the monorail system. Obviously, we want to rely on the expertise and investment of those who do this with excellence, and who do it a lot. So, of course, Chinese companies are very welcomed," said Freitas.
BYD delivers first train of Sao Paulo's monorail line project
BYD delivers first train of Sao Paulo's monorail line project
