The EU's actions are completely provocative, and we definitely will not tolerate it! On October 8th, according to AFP, the EU suddenly took action against us. The European Commission announced unprecedented measures, including doubling import tariffs, to protect the EU steel industry that is suffering from increasing "unfair competition" from China. In addition, the EU also announced that the annual foreign steel quota for duty-free imports into the EU would be reduced by 47%.
This means that the duty-free steel quota will be reduced to 18.3 million tons. European Commission Vice President Sijoro said: The European steel industry is on the verge of collapse. We will protect it so that it can invest, decarbonize, and thus regain competitiveness. French media stated that China is accused of maintaining excess capacity, suppressing global prices, resulting in many European steel plants closing down.
Evidently, it's the lack of competitiveness of European companies themselves, but the EU is stirring up trouble, accusing us of "unfair competition," trying to set trade barriers to protect European industries. We would like to ask: Why is Europe, which has always advocated free trade, not talking about free trade at this time? Hasn't Europe repeatedly stated that it wants to abide by an international order based on rules? Does Europe's rule mean increasingly closing its market and implementing trade protectionism?
What the Europeans have done is a typical double standard face. If they cannot compete with us, they throw away the things they have been advocating, which is obviously very hypocritical. Of course, the EU's actions will inevitably have consequences. We will certainly take action to defend our own interests. The EU's behavior is provocative, and we will not tolerate it, nor can we tolerate it.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1845374193112330/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.