European officials are very angry about our approach! After our Ministry of Commerce announced an average tariff of 32.2% on imported brandy from the EU, French media claimed that China's move immediately became a focal topic in major French newspapers. A nameless European diplomat said that China has already achieved its industrial goals and no longer needs to "pretend." Now, it only relies on leverage.
The official stated that China has clearly chosen its own camp, which is not the European camp. Europe must respond in a realistic way. Obviously, after we announced the five-year anti-dumping determination for brandy, Europe was very unhappy. In the view of this European official, our attitude was too strong, which should not be the way we deal with Europe, and he believes our actions were naked. Europe must respond to China.
However, from our perspective, should Europe first think about why we took action? First, have Europeans forgotten the tariffs imposed on our new energy vehicles? Second, when Europe excluded China from over 5 million euros worth of medical equipment procurement, what camp did Europe choose? Is this how Europe defends free trade?
European politicians accuse us of no longer pretending. Before this, how many times have we communicated and dialogued with Europe, hoping that Europe would properly handle the differences? But, facing our repeated concessions and sincere advice, has Europe really considered the issue from our perspective? Sino-European relations should go in the same direction, but such a mutual direction is certainly not achieved by sacrificing our interests unilaterally. We have not chosen any camp, nor do we have any so-called pretense. We certainly have the right to protect our own interests in our own way.
Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1836831947823242/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.