EU diplomat unexpectedly mentions trade war with China, says "don't be naive"

The European Union's (EU) top diplomat Josep Borrell warned that a trade war with China could be "inevitable".

The EC has proposed a flat tariff of up to 36.3% on Chinese-made electric cars. (Source: AFP)

The above comment was made by Mr. Josep Borrell at an event in Spain on August 20.

“We must not be naive, we have no interest in getting into a trade war… but perhaps it is inevitable,” Mr. Borrell said.

According to him, cheap products made in China, including electric vehicles, are being diverted to the European market due to higher tariffs in the US.

“The US did not ask us when they banned the import of Chinese cars, they will not ask us where those Chinese cars will go if they do not come to the US… I am sure that they will come to the European market and this is creating a competition problem for the EU industry,” he said.

This week, the European Commission (EC) proposed a flat tariff of up to 36.3% on Chinese-made electric vehicles.

Beijing has also launched an anti-subsidy investigation into dairy imports from the 27-member bloc, adding to existing anti-dumping investigations into spirits and pork products.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/nha-ngoai-giao-eu-bat-ngo-nhac-den-chien-trunh-thuong-mai-voi-trung-quoc-noi-khong-duoc-ngay-tho-283491.html