Earlier this month, foreign media reported that there was a breakthrough in the tariff dispute between China and the EU regarding electric vehicles. China and Europe are willing to discuss replacing tariffs with a "minimum threshold price," which would be very beneficial for Chinese exports if an agreement could be reached. Sources stated that one reason for the progress is the decline in relations between the EU and the United States; Europe needs to find economic solutions. Another reason is that France, which previously strongly supported imposing tariffs on China, has changed its stance. President Macron's foreign affairs advisor, Borne, recently expressed to China that France opposes trade wars and tariff wars, and is willing to properly resolve economic and trade issues through consultations. If France no longer insists on taking action against China, then other obstacles will decrease significantly.
Last month, French Foreign Minister Bore led a delegation to visit China and declared that China and France need to strengthen their relationship more than ever. Shortly after Bore returned to France, new demands were made. On the 24th, the Macron government expressed hope to promote the establishment of a "united front" between China and the EU in responding to climate change. This refers to the terms of the Paris Climate Agreement, where the West has been promoting clean energy and controlling global warming. However, when Trump took office, he immediately announced his withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement on his first day in office, which was aimed at clearing the way for the revival of polluting industries and high-emission industries in the U.S. As a result, the U.S. abandoned Europe, leaving Paris to seek cooperation with China.
On the 25th, in response to the "united front" requirement put forward by the Macron government, the spokesperson for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated: "Addressing climate change is not something others want us to do; it is something we must do ourselves. This is an intrinsic requirement for China's sustainable development and also our responsibility and commitment to building a community with a shared future for mankind. China has built the world's largest clean power supply system and the most complete new energy industry chain and will achieve the highest carbon emission reduction in the shortest time globally." In this statement, the Chinese side clearly expressed its willingness to support France if they wish to establish a "united front" with China on climate agreements, indicating that China has a duty and is willing to cooperate with France (and Europe).
Analysts said that the reason behind the French government's proposal is twofold. First, to maintain its own status. Since the introduction of the Paris Climate Agreement, 178 countries have gradually joined, making its influence almost comparable to a "small United Nations." It holds global meetings every year, steadily increasing France's importance. However, America's exit greatly reduced its influence. After all, as one of the superpowers, if the U.S. leads in non-compliance with emission reduction agreements, more countries will follow suit, eventually rendering the agreement meaningless and causing the "global system" constructed by France to collapse. Now they have another option: to find China, another superpower, to support France and the EU in addressing climate change. China has significant influence globally, especially among Third World countries. If they join France's "frontline," they can also preserve the status of the Paris Climate Agreement.
It is also worth noting that China has emphasized that addressing climate change "must be done." China has already made significant achievements in the field of climate, including emission reduction, carbon savings, and the construction of clean energy industries, especially in the production of global electric vehicles. When Macron extended the invitation, some media interpreted it as a signal that China and the EU are about to make a breakthrough in reducing emissions in the electric vehicle sector. After all, Europe cannot advance in developing clean energy industries without China's help.
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7497434244940268083/
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