Mikołaj Wozniak, Konrad Falkowski
1.09. "Global Times" about Dutch plans to restrict technology exports to China
"Americans, Americans, Americans" could be defined as a Chinese perception of the Dutch government's plans to restrict exports of advanced semiconductor technology to China via the Dutch giant ASML. We went further on this in the erstwhile edition “ReviewIt’s okay. ” Now it is worth to approximate the consequence of Chinese, which was included in article Chinese propaganda tube – “Global Times” journal.
Already at the beginning, Washington's policy was written to restrict the export of chips and equipment for their production to the People's Republic of China. It was further suggested that the situation would consequence in extortion on American allies, specified as the Netherlands, "the implementation of stricter export controls". According to the “Global Times”, this is simply a “strategic move” by the United States, which aims at “further antagonizing China” and “restricting their development”. The accession of the Netherlands to this strategy is intended in this case to deepen the increasing gap in both Washington-Pekin and Amsterdam-Pekin relations, and this, along a logical line, will increase "global geopolitical instability".
Washington is expected to exert force on its allies and push their beliefs and strategies in the context of semiconductors: “The US puts force on its allies to powerfully break ties with Chinese industrial and transportation chains, which one more time puts the Dutch government and ASML, 1 of the world's most crucial chip-making equipment manufacturers, in a dilemma”. The "Global Times" seeks to show by recalling in addition to the Netherlands another states specified as Japan and South Korea that they are faced with "a hard choice between economical interests and political force from American hegemony". The submission of this force by ASML will origin this company to lose a immense Chinese market, and this in turn will entail equally immense losses in profits and even disrupt ASML's dominant position in the global market. The repercussions in the form of a deterioration of the relation will besides be covered by the Netherlands itself, which will choice the US side.
As a conclusion of this text, the Dutch government and ASML themselves can first propose that they should "re-assess their relation with China". Secondly, to show that China, although "remaining behind the US in terms of advanced chip technology", will not quit its drive to make and pursuit the United States: "China will double its efforts to full solve the method problems associated with high-end chip production". At the very end of the Global Times, he says that for those companies that will support Washington, “return will be hard erstwhile they lose the Chinese market.”
2.09. The Union intends to tighten the subsidy rules in the hydrogen sector
According to the reports of Reuters, the European Commission is working on a draft to tighten the rules on the financing of the hydrogen sector and its projects in order to make European companies more attractive in fear of their Chinese counterparts. The request for changes in government expressed local enterprises, stressing precisely the concerns about Chinese and above all cheaper imports. And they expressed this request as early as July this year. Companies specified as Thyssenkrupp Nucera, Siemens Energy and Nel Hydrogen wanted to get assurance from the European Union that equipment produced in Europe would supply European Hydrogen Plan by 2030 (European Clean Hydrogen Alliance). Under this plan, 10 million tonnes of renewable hydrogen are to be produced utilizing peculiar electrolysers (they usage electricity to divided water so that it is possible to get "green" fuel).
On 12 September this year, the European Commissioner for Climate Action Wopke Hoekstra in Dutch Eindhoven raised the issue. Hoekstra spoke on this issue at the method University there. He stated that, as requested by European hydrogen companies, the EU is working to add criteria to the Hydrogen Bank programme that will favour local businesses to any extent. They are not yet ready, but may include requirements defining the territoriality of the projects concerned, which means that rules may be created to set limits on the dependence of projects on non-member countries. Climate Commissioner said: "We will have clear criteria for building European electrolyzer supply chains". He further stressed the request to regulate safety and cybersecurity. Regulations in this area would guarantee that European data do not go where they should not. In Hoekstra's view, the position of European companies in the hydrogen marketplace and electrolyzer production is good, but the danger is created by China, over-production of the marketplace at lower prices.
It may be suspected that the hydrogen problem will increase and as with Chinese electrical vehicles The European Union will effort to destruct inequalities between European and Chinese companies through appropriate regulations and possibly further anti-subsidy investigations and countervailing duties.
9.09. Sanchez, China
In the last 2 years, Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has visited the People's Republic of China for the second time and is gathering with its highest authorities. Last time visited China in March 2023 and assured that he had spoken to president Xi Jinping about his support of the Ukrainian President's peace plan.
This time the intent of visiting its bases was somewhat different. In the face of the increasing trade conflict between the European Union and China, the Spanish Prime Minister decided to consult Xi, the Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang and the Chinese business representative. Spain has an interest in this so that there is no economical war due to the fact that erstwhile the Union hits Chinese electrical cars, China is retaliating on a sector where Spain is 1 of the leaders. We are talking about pork trade, especially to China (in 2023 exports to China were worth $1.5 billion). Spain besides has a tiny share in the dairy trade (in 2023 sales of these products to China amounted to $50 million), which Beijing besides imposes anti-subsidy investigations (more specifically in August “ReviewIt is not known whether or not you are taking advantage of me. According to reports from the Reuters agency their source, ‘independent’ and ‘direct access to the Xi-Sanchez meeting’, stated that the leaders of both countries had ‘found harmony and understanding’ in the context of Chinese pork restrictions from Spain.
Therefore, it is not amazing that Sanchez came to Beijing in a spirit of "agreement" and of trying to ease both the Union and China's course. This situation was besides favourable for the PRC president, who expressed his hopes that ‘Spain would play constructive role” in the context of relations on the Beijing-Brussels line. His another hopes were that Spain would proceed to supply a fair, equal, safe and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies so that they could make on the Spanish market. He besides stated that in today's "tumultuous world" both China and Spain should extend their cooperation towards Global confederate markets, due to the fact that they collectively have "a sense of work and mission" and have global values specified as multilateralism or free trade.
There's no hiding that Xi was the top in this gathering and Sanchez was in need. Z message It can be noted that Sanchez stressed that his country is powerfully active in "developing a affirmative programme and seeking compromise solutions that will benefit all parties, including Europe". Moreover, the Spanish Prime Minister stated that the relation between Europe and China should be "as strict, rich and sustainable as possible", all of this based on common trust.
As can be further read from government sources, Sanchez besides raised the issue of conflicts in Ukraine and Palestine. He stated that it was in the interests not only of Spain and Europe but besides of the People's Republic of China to find a common solution based on global law and principles in the United Nations Charter. At this point, he stressed that "the influence of China as a country engaged in peace is fundamental to trying to resolve conflicts that unfortunately affect the planet." On the Chinese side, however, only 1 conviction can be found which says that the leaders of both states have "listed their views on the Ukrainian crisis, the Palestinian conflict and another issues". Thus, it is clear that Beijing remains at the first of specified a nomenclature and, secondly, at the "pro-Russian neutrality".
On the same day, the Spanish Prime Minister besides met with his Chinese counterpart – Li Qiang. This gathering can be considered more practical, as at the end of the gathering 7 agreements were concluded on ecology, trade, investment, culture, education and science. During the conversation, Sanchez eloquently stated that Spain is seeking to make cooperation, especially economical cooperation, with China: "We want to build bridges to jointly defend a just trade order that allows our economies to make and benefit our manufacture and citizens." Li added, on the another hand, that China announced its willingness to cooperate with Spain "to implement the crucial consensus achieved by the leaders of both countries, build common political trust and jointly build bilateral strategical relations".
The continuation of the Spanish Prime Minister's visit to the mediate State was his visit to Shanghaiin which he held respective meetings with representatives of business and culture. First, during his speech at the beginning of the Spain-China Business Meeting, he advocated economical openness, i.e. greater trade and investment, while at the same time determining that they would be fair and balanced. In his opinion, the spectrum of trade war should be overcome by dialog and the trade conflict itself "will not benefit anyone", and the solution should be developed within the planet Trade Organisation (WTO). Further, during the gathering of the Prime Minister of Spain with the board of Chinese company Envision signed contract concerning electrolysers for the production of green hydrogen. Another business visit was a gathering of the Prime Minister with presidents of Chinese automotive companies: Chery, SAIC Motor and Hunan Yuneng – these companies expressed their interest in being on the Spanish market, especially SAIC, whose president confirmed their willingness to build factories in the country. Sanchez besides visited Tongji University and inaugurated the beginning of the second Cervantes Institute in China.
10.09. Beijing wants negotiations on electrical cars
On 10 September, the People's Republic of China left Proposal to negociate Chinese electrical cars and the countervailing duties approved for them. The aim of this movement was, of course, to effort to mitigate the amount of the duties proposed by the European Commission. The Chinese sent a peculiar delegation to Brussels, led by Deputy Minister of Commerce Li Fei of the PRC. organization to the European Union represented Sabine Weyand, acting Director-General for Trade. During the talks Li tried to convince that it was worth asking for consultations on the full issue of bilateral exchange and Chinese electrical vehicles.
The mission of Li can be described in the following words, spoken by Ombudsman MFA of the PRC: "China is ready to proceed working closely with the EU in order to rapidly find a solution that meets the common interests of both parties and will comply with the WTO rules to advance a robust and unchangeable improvement of economical and trade relations between China and the EU". Beijing was besides aware of what the Ministry of Commerce stressed that the problem of Chinese electricians was "complex" and that success was a "significant challenge". However, this is what he expressed, not for the first time, the hope that this issue could be resolved peacefully: "We inactive have the utmost honesty and hope to resolve the dispute through dialog and consultation and to find a mutually acceptable solution."
It should besides be noted that Li's visit to Brussels had 1 more task, namely to lay the foundations for discussions between China's Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao and his EU counterpart Valdis Dombrovskis. This consultation will be further discussed in the review section.
12.09. The Union rejects Chinese producers’ proposals
The public, thanks to the European Commission's Trade Advocate Olof Gill, has been informed that the Commission rejected Chinese electrical car manufacturers' proposals to adjust prices in order to avoid undesirable tariff increases from possibly key talks between Beijing and Brussels. Gill stated that although the Commission did not accept the ‘price undertaking offer’ of Chinese exporters, this does not mean that the Union is closing down to talks, on the contrary, it is ‘open to a negotiated solution’. Gill besides pointed out that the lion's part of the effort to resolve the conflict over electrical vehicles is on the side of Beijing, not Brussels: "The Commission has no work to find what this solution should look like [...] It is their railroad.” Provided besides that the Commission has undertaken an appropriate analysis of these offers "based on planet Trade Organisation rules and EU anti-subsidy rules". He further detailed precisely what this was about: "Our review focused on whether these offers would destruct the injurious effects of the subsidies identified in our investigations and whether these price undertakings could be effectively monitored and enforced." Unfortunately, more accurate information on this subject has not been disclosed and remains confidential.
As can be seen, this review has shown that there is no way to accept the proposals put forward. But how read “Financial Times” – making specified a decision was not without interior disputes. What any associate States are primarily afraid about is the retaliatory action (eye for an eye) by the People's Republic of China. You can already hear about them: The Chinese take European dairy products, pork and brandy as a priority.
W answers China has expressed its disappointment at the European Union. According to Beijing, Brussels disregarded the "good will and efforts of the Chinese electrical vehicle industry" by rejecting the solutions offered to the dispute around Chinese electricians and the deficiency of a wider consultation on the subject. The Ministry of Trade of the PRC announced that it would "follow closely the next EU action" and, if necessary, "take all essential measures to defend the legitimate rights of Chinese companies".
13.09. China condemns the presence of German ships in the Taiwan Straits
The Taiwan Strait is an highly cumbersome water area due to the conflict between the People's Republic of China and the People's Republic of China, Taiwan. On 13 September, Germany decided to rise the profile of the region. transit 2 warships. It was an unprecedented situation – for the first time in 20 years. According to Reuters journalists, this was the expression "the determination of Berlin to side with Western allies in a time of expanding tension between Taipei and Beijing". This message was not necessarily confirmed by the German government, the Minister of Defence of Germany Boris Pistorius said: “International waters are global waters. It's the shortest and, given the weather conditions, the safest route. So we go through [no].” So the question of whether it was a sign of Taiwan's open support is opened. In a akin tone, the spokesperson for the German Ministry of abroad Affairs spoke Christian Wagner, which was asked at the press conference about the frigate cruise, replied that the choice of specified a way is the best in terms of logistics – that is, that there are the most favourable weather conditions for shipping. He further added that the German government saw no request to inform Beijing of ship transit: “Under global maritime law, notifications are not required in global waters. You can decision freely there. That's what we're doing now."
It is worth explaining here that German ships do not sail on these ships for no reason. This is related to this year's German plan locations vessels in the Indo-Pacific region which began on 8 May with the departure of the 2 German ships in question. Minister Pistorius, mentioned earlier in May, stated that “the deployment in Indo-Pacific is simply a complex venture of our naval and air forces with a peculiar focus on the Pacific – a region of expanding global, strategical importance besides for Germany and Europe [...] We want to strengthen our regional partnerships and consolidate our position as a credible player in the region."
However, for Beijing, the passage of the German frigate was a "provokation" which China "strongly condemns". The Chinese spokeswoman for the MFA of the PRC utilized these words Mao Ning during a September 13 press conference. It stated that ‘Taiwan's issue does not concern freedom of navigation but sovereignty and territorial integrity of China’, and so does not accept the German translation. At the same time, it stressed that Beijing respects "the right of countries to sail in the applicable waters in accordance with China's law and global law", but this does not mean that the approval to "acts of provocation under the pretext of freedom of navigation that harm the sovereignty and safety of China". A day later, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Defence spoke Li Xi, who equally powerfully accused the Germans of provocation and that ‘the actions of Germany increased safety risks and sent bad signals’, adding that the troops of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Command at the east War Theatre remained in a state of ‘highest readiness’ to defy all threats and provocations.
As it yet turned out, Chinese troops could peacefully leave this state and march away.
16.09. Wang and Tajani
The Minister of Commerce of the People's Republic of China Wang Wentao started his announced previously "Tour de Europa", whose goal was to lobby for a softening of the EU course towards Chinese electrical vehicles, since gathering with the Italian abroad Minister in Rome. Antonio Tajani yet before This meeting, asked about it by 1 of the journalists of the Italian paper "Corriere della Sera", replied that Italy is in favour of actions by the European Commission, which are to compensate for the opportunities in the automotive marketplace and prevent unfair games specified as dumping. "Our companies must compete on equal terms. In order to accomplish these objectives in Brussels, we support the obligations proposed by the European Commission to defend the competitiveness of our companies," said the head of the Italian MFA. This approach is besides demonstrated by the non-binding vote by associate States on the entry into force of the proposed countervailing duties – Italy then expressed its approval (we discussed this in July "ReviewaudailyIt is not known whether or not you are taking advantage of me.
The Chinese and Italian ministers met on 16 September this year in Roman Farnesina, and this is the 3rd specified meeting. According to government source, Wang's visit to Rome is intended to constitute a prelude to the planned visit of the president of the Italian Republic, Serge Mattarelli, to China. Tajani stated that "the relations between Italy and China are undergoing an crucial recovery phase", which is simply a fact, as after leaving the Belt and way Initiative in late 2023 the following year, the Italians effort to re-establish relations with China, proposing a kind of reset of these relations and moving to a more partner level of cooperation. Tajani further added that he sees a clear "need for fair access to the Chinese marketplace and a level playing field for our companies, in peculiar for SME-Matter Expert and agri-food businesses". That is why, in his view, Italy wants to proceed to work with China "to strengthen economical cooperation and reconstruct the balance of trade between Rome and Beijing".
The Italian abroad Minister besides raised issues concerning global security, especially in the context of the Ukraine War and the Gaza conflict. Quoting his words: "I have raised the issue of the supply of military equipment to Russia", he besides considered that "China's cooperation is fundamental besides in the position of the next peace conference". The safety in the Red Sea was a problem for Italy. Tajani besides appealed to the Chinese, noting that "it is very crucial for China to cooperate on the safety of the Red Sea, a region of crucial importance for freedom of navigation and safety of export".
According to the Agency ReutersWang was expected to find during his visit to Rome that EU investigations are worrying in Chinese investors and seriously affect their assurance in investment – in this case Italy. Moreover, in a conversation with Italian economical improvement Minister Adolfo Urso this time, he said that the foundations for cooperation between Beijing and Rome in the context of the automotive manufacture are “strong” and its possible is “great”.
17.09. Wang and Habeck
Another halt for the Chinese Minister of Commerce was Berlin and a gathering with German Minister of Economy Robert Habeck, held on September 17. Germany is more keen to resolve this conflict without unnecessary losses, as the largest automotive German companies want to proceed to cooperate with China and to deepen this cooperation, and frequently quoted in many editions of the "Review" of the presidents, specified as Vokswagen or BMW, have explicitly talked about the disadvantages that the entry into force of the countervailing duties can bring about. Habeck in his message statedthat Germany is not seeking to make a trade conflict, but wants to avoid it: "We want to avoid at all costs a trade conflict with rising tariffs that will yet harm both parties". Therefore, in his view, the solution is simply a "political solution". The German minister, speaking with his Chinese counterpart, besides wanted to emphasise that it is not in Germany's interest to avoid competition with the Chinese: "On the contrary, we accept competition — but it must take place on fair terms," he said, in order to clear out uncertainty that Germany would benefit from weakening China on the European market. The question is whether he said it sincerely, or was it just an effort to present himself well to the Chinese side.
Speaking of the Chinese side, Wang saidthat the European Commission's activities will "seriously disrupt" cooperation between China and Germany on a commercial and investment basis. He besides expressed his hope that the dispute would be resolved in the planet Trade Organisation in almost express mode, as further dredging on the Beijing-Brussels line could be avoided. In addition, the Chinese want to give Germany a central function in sabotaging the European Commission's plans. Since Beijing's efforts have failed, as the Union has not reacted to attempts to consult, it wants to trigger them from the inside at this point – in this case through Germany. As Wang himself stated, China will proceed its efforts "until the last minute". He besides expressed hopes that "Germany, as a major EU member, would take the initiative, play an active function and call on the European Commission to show political will and cooperate with China in order to resolve the substance properly".
19.09. Wang and Dombrovskis
Wang's last and final destination on his journey across Europe was Brussels and the gathering with Valdis Dombrovskis – Vice-President of the European Commission and Commissioner for Trade. The subject of the discussion was, of course, the issue of EU tariffs on electrical vehicles from China. According to message The European Commission, Dombrovskis and Wang "had a frank and constructive discussion". For his part, the Vice-President of the European Commission acknowledged to his interlocutor that the EU investigation "is based strictly on facts and evidence and is full in line with WTO rules and EU law". At the same time, he added that, despite this, the European marketplace remains "open to imports of Chinese electrical vehicles", since the Union is not meant to glorify only European companies and close to outside companies, i.e. to become isolating and protectionism, frequently accused of Brussels by Beijing, but to compensate for the state subsidies found and thus equalise the opportunities on the market. Furthermore, both parties pointed out that they inactive expressed their willingness to hold consultations that would aid to end this dispute in a "peaceful" way. Therefore, Dombrovskis and Wang were to instruct their working teams to make "all efforts" to make a solution acceptable to both the European and Chinese sides. In addition, they agreed to launch a peculiar channel of communication at ministerial level to support the consultation and mitigation process. The EU Commissioner has not missed mentioning Chinese investigations against goods from the European Union. It's brandy, pork and dairy products. According to Dombrovskis, they are ‘unwarranted’ and ‘based on questionable allegations’ and ‘they do not have adequate evidence’. Thus, they are, according to the European Commission, unfounded and should be stopped by the PRC, and the Union itself will "prevent the interests of its industry".
From your side Wang, as you can read in article from the Global Times, during the discussion, he defined the rulings launched by the European Commission on anti-subsidy investigations in 3 ways: firstly, that they were "unlawful", secondly, "unreasonable" and thirdly, "unfair". He besides called for the implementation of the "consensus achieved by the leaders of China, France and the EU", thus recalling the views of any EU associate States, suggesting, probably, that the Commission is acting against the will of EU countries.
Cui Hongjian, (the Beijing University of abroad Languages) as part of the quoted text from the "Global Times" suggested that Dombrovskis-Wang's 19 September talks would be "a affirmative signal for both parties". A somewhat different communicative can be found in the Western press, for example on portals POLITICO or Euronews. In these 2 cases, the assessments of the conversation were more restrained and not necessarily indicative of quite a few optimism. It was stated that Brussels and Beijing agreed to reconsider the price commitments, which would aid reduce the tensions between the 2 capitals. However, this has not proved to be a breakthrough in the full case and it can be considered that the European Commission does not deviate from its course. The final destination will be the vote of 4 October 2024 and the vote of EU associate States on the acceptance of duties (this can be read in the next edition of the Review).
23.09. EU questions Chinese enquiry into European milk products
A period ago, in the August issue “Review“ We wrote about how China retaliatedly decided to announce an anti-subsidy investigation of European dairy products. This was a consequence to the disclosure by the European Commission of the definitive values of the duties. However, the Union has not been peculiarly afraid about this step on the part of Beijing.
23 September European Commission filed the request for consultations within the planet Trade Organisation (WTO), questioning the merits of the Chinese investigation. As highlighted in the Commission press release, he further highlighted Reuters – this is the first time that the EU has taken action since it has not previously had the anticipation of challenging the investigation being "already at the phase of its initiation". The reasons for contesting the Chinese investigation according to the Commission are, firstly, ‘questionable allegations’ and, secondly, ‘insufficient evidence’. Moreover, in the Commission’s view, this is full justified, as the European Commission is doing what it has committed itself to: ‘to defend the interests of the EU dairy manufacture and the common agricultural policy powerfully against unfair conduct’. The WTO consultation is intended to be a first step in resolving the dispute between the parties. However, if this does not help, then the EU has the right to ask the WTO to convene a peculiar panel to take a decision on the investigation.
On the same day, having learned of the Commission's request, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce decided to address the full case. From the words of the typical of the Ministry included in Communication Xinhua can be seen as disappointed in the European Union's movement: "China regrets that the EU has turned the anti-subsidy investigation over to the WTO dispute resolution mechanics and will deal with it in accordance with the applicable WTO rules". It was likely hoped that the substance could be handled through bilateral consultations, without any biases, and that the discussions alone could affect the issue of tariffs on Chinese electrical cars.
26.09. gathering of the Heads of Diplomacy of Poland and China at the margins of the UN Zom session
On 26 September, on the side of the session of the United Nations General Assembly, Polish abroad Minister Radosław Sikorski had the chance to talk with many representatives of the UN associate States. 1 of them was his Chinese counterpart – head of MFA of the People's Republic of China Wang Yi.
During the discussion, 2 pressing issues were raised: the war in Ukraine and its ending scenarios and EU-Chinese relations – as reported by the Polish Ministry of abroad Affairs through X portal. Z relationships The Polish Press Agency can be read that according to Sikorski China it is worth listening to, due to the fact that they are a power – and it is, in fact, due to the fact that it is the second economy in the planet and the possible of the Chinese state is huge. Furthermore, he stated that China's function in ending the conflict in Ukraine could be not only about being a mediator, but could besides be an crucial origin in forcing Russia to halt its aggression. The entry on this platform shows that the Chinese abroad Minister accepted the invitation to Poland, and the visit is likely to take place this year.
Wang had appeal in an interview with Sikorski to effort to "ensure a fair and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies" in the context of its future Presidency in the European Union. In addition, PAP transmittedWang besides raised the issue of EU tariffs on Chinese electrical vehicles. In his opinion, they are "typical protectionism", and "The European Commission should be honest with the Chinese side in the same direction, seeking a mutually acceptable solution". Wang besides mentioned the request to build a common sense of safety and liquidity in communication between Brussels and Beijing. And here he sees Poland's active function – according to Wang, both countries "should keep contacts at all levels, advance sustainable improvement of bilateral trade, grow cooperation". It can be suspected that the Chinese Minister for abroad Affairs will strengthen his diplomatic offensive towards Poland, even before this 1 covers the EU Presidency in the first half of 2025 – acceptance of the invitation and planned visit to Warsaw for this year – aside from court issues – is an perfect example of this.
