China Warns EU: Countermeasures Loom if Industry and Technology Rules Are Not Revised

On Wednesday, April 29, China delivered a clear message to the EU: Beijing will take countermeasures against the EU and related enterprises if the European side fails to make substantial revisions to its proposed "Buy European Products" bill and revised cybersecurity regulations.

According to Reuters, a Chinese diplomat who declined to be named told media in Brussels on Wednesday that current EU policies reflect "typical double standards," though he did not specify the exact countermeasures that might follow. He revealed that China has already sent letters this week to the European Commission’s departments responsible for industry and telecommunications, listing measures it wishes to see removed.

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce has criticized the proposed EU regulations in multiple statements, calling them discriminatory, inconsistent with World Trade Organization rules, and likely to have a "negative impact" on Sino-European trade and cooperation.

Under the EU's proposed new cybersecurity rules, the bloc plans to gradually phase out equipment and components from "high-risk suppliers" in critical sectors. The proposal has been openly opposed by Huawei, China’s leading telecom giant. Beijing is demanding the removal of clauses defining certain countries as "sources of cybersecurity concerns" and the term "high-risk."

Meanwhile, the EU’s ongoing Industrial Accelerator Act aims to boost domestic industrial competitiveness amid pressure from American and Chinese firms. The EU argues that these competitors are not burdened by the stringent regulations and high energy costs faced by European businesses.

The proposed legislation would set "Made in the EU" quotas and low-carbon standards for sensitive industries receiving public procurement or manufacturing subsidies. China, however, is urging the removal of key provisions concerning origin requirements, government procurement, and technology transfer mandates.

Currently, EU member states and the European Parliament remain at an early stage of the legislative process. The diplomat stated that Chinese embassies across EU countries are also conveying the same position to national governments, increasing diplomatic pressure.

Source: rfi

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1863849293288522/

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