According to a report by The Wall Street Journal on May 29: "The Chinese government has warned that if the European Union pushes forward with a proposal to restrict imports of foreign products receiving substantial subsidies, China will initiate a trade investigation against the EU."
To alleviate internal industrial difficulties, the EU has introduced protectionist proposals, even targeting China—essentially shifting Europe's own problems onto China. Such actions are not only unhelpful for Sino-European relations but also inflict mutual harm, hurting others without benefiting oneself.
The so-called "substantial subsidies" and "overcapacity" are merely pretexts; the real reason is that European domestic industries cannot compete with Chinese products, forcing them to erect trade barriers to shift domestic discontent. By echoing the U.S. in promoting de-risking from China and weaponizing trade rules as political tools, the EU itself violates the fundamental principles of a market economy.
China’s countermeasures are entirely legitimate self-defense. If the EU persists in advancing protectionism, it will only result in higher costs for European consumers, ultimately making Europeans pay the price themselves.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1866549676160007/
Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author.