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.

  • kandoh@reddthat.com
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    9 months ago

    Sorry, haven’t almost all our European industries relied heavily on government subsidies

    Yes, and that stuff is factored in on every trade agreement the EU signs. The Chinese subsidies were not so now they are making the adjustments.

    • spacedout@lemmy.ml
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      9 months ago

      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.