Europe says it has found evidence that China has been “unfairly” subsidizing its EV exports to Europe. Possible “remedies” include retroactive tariffs.
The European Commission says China hasn’t been playing fair in that its government has been paying subsidies through “direct transfer of funds,” among other actions, reports Reuters – which the EC says tips the balance in China’s favor and leaves European automakers out to dry.
Back in October 2023, Europe launched its formal investigation into the Chinese EV industry, as European companies are struggling to compete with the cheap, high-tech Chinese imports, made by low-cost labor, entering the European Union.
There are a lot of good reports and investigations about forced labour in China across the web (as well as here on Lemmy). Those who also like watching documentaries may like
As China's influence continues to expand around the world, at home the regime is becoming more repressive. A UN report has denounced crimes against humanity against the Uyghurs and the international community has criticised its bullying stance towards Taiwan. Reports and analysis of the Middle Kingdom.
Addition for a warning: some of the documentaries contain content that may distress users.
Sorry, haven't almost all our European industries relied heavily on government subsidies, privatization of previously public entities, protectionism and so on? China is a socialist country, of course the government is subsidizing production. The reality is that China is outcompeting capitalist Europe (now sacrificed by the US) on capitalist terms. This move seems like an abandonment of free market laissez faire thinking in favour of mercantilism/outright iron curtain, while blaming it on the other guy.
Trade agreements inside the European single market? What are you on about, buddy? Seems like lazy apologetics. Of course there are state aid rules in the EU, but the fact of the matter is that everyone from Hugo Boss to Seat and Nokia has been on the receiving end of favorable conditions from their home countries (Nazi uniform contracts in Boss' case). Hell, even the American giants like Microsoft and Apple are propped up on government contracts.
A lot of EU products with national subsidies are usually only available at a cheaper price to occupants in that country. I know it works that way for french car brands.
Honestly, when it comes to helping their national companies get ahead in the global market, European countries aren't that different from anywhere else. It's like a global game where everyone's trying to sneak their products into the lead with a little help from home. Think of it as governments giving their players the best gear, secret strategies, and even a map of shortcuts. Whether it's subsidies, regulatory loopholes, or strategic support, the end goal is the same: make sure our team wins, even if it means bending the rules of fair play. So next time you see a European car or product leading the pack, remember, it might have had a little "help" getting there.
China actually doing something about the climate crisis, and they actively get in the way. Shows how far our govs will go to prevent us from fixing this world.
As the world's largest electricity producer with around 30% of global output, China still heavily depends on cheap coal. What happens in China is everything but ecological so far, unfortunately, very much as in the West.
That aside, Chinese cars are cheap not in the least through the use of forced labour in Xinjiang. It's a serious human rights problem, too.
I thought the forced labour was in the aluminium itself? Which is a far bigger problem because it's embedded deep in the supply chain. So everything from your kitchen foil to your Polestar EV will be affected.
As for their domestic electricity, yes they have a lot of coal. They also have a lot, and very very rapidly increasing amounts of solar. Last year (if you fully believe their figures) they added 216.9 GW of solar capacity in comparison the USA added 35.3 GW.
We are in the middle of a climate crisis where every year of inaction dooms countless to death or at the very least catastrophically reduced quality of life.
It is absolutely one of the few things that is actually black and white.
Is China playing unfair? Yes, but it really doesn’t matter at this point, they are making more EVs and the correct response at this point is just to do the same.