Tu Xinquan: Win-win cooperation between industries can reduce the possibility of conflicts
(Source: "Beijing News" 2024-07-31)
In the past month,Ministry of Foreign Affairs、The Ministry of Commerce has repeatedly spoken out on the EU’s anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese electric vehicles。
“The countervailing investigation launched by the European Commission this time is different from the past,The application is not submitted by the enterprise or labor union,It was initiated by the European Commission itself。This is very rare from a procedural perspective,And it has certain political considerations。”w88 casinoexpressed in an exclusive interview with Shell Finance,The purpose of the European Commission’s move is to leave more time and space for its own automobile industry to transform。
Tu Xinquan, Dean of the China WTO Research Institute at the University of International Business and Economics。Photo courtesy of interviewee
Talk about investigation
The EU uses trade restrictions to give the automobile industry more time to transform
Shell Finance:Why does the European Commission impose temporary countervailing duties on Chinese electric vehicles?
Tu Xinquan: I think one of the important reasons ismy country’s new energy vehicles are highly competitive。In intelligence、With the technical support of electrification and networking,中China’s cars are like a “new species”,Let the EU feel threatened。So,They want to pass trade restrictions,Hindering the rapid growth momentum of Chinese automobiles。
China’s new energy vehicle industry is developing faster,The results achieved are even more outstanding。The penetration rate of new energy vehicles in my country continues to rise,The penetration rate of new energy vehicles in my country will exceed 30% in 2023。From a product technology perspective,China’s new energy vehicles are already in a leading position。After full verification in the country,Car companies choose to go overseas to more countries。
The w88 online sports bettingw88 online live casinoEU as a developed economy,Not only the initiator of the concept of green development,It is also a very important market for electric vehicles。Users in European countries are generally more accepting of electric vehicles,So Chinese car companies have gradually launched new energy vehicle export plans to Europe。This is a very natural process,However, the relative competitiveness of my country’s car companies is relatively strong,As a result, local EU automobile companies are at a disadvantage in the competition with new energy and intelligence。
In terms of time,It has only been two or three years since my country’s new energy vehicle companies entered Europe,Not big in size,But the momentum is strong。In order to protect your own industry and enterprise,Hindering the rapid growth of Chinese automobiles,The European Commission has adopted restrictive measures。But what needs to be clear is,There are many unreasonable things in the European Commission’s measures。
For new energy vehicles,Countries basically still hold a positive attitude。Replacing fuel vehicles with new energy vehicles,Can reduce global carbon emissions。The earliest goal based on environmental protection,EuropeThe United States is vigorously promoting the development of new energy vehicles。So,I think,Electrification transformation of the global automobile industry、The general trend of green transformation will not change。
Shell Finance: What are the international competitive advantages of China’s new energy vehicles?
Tu Xinquan:From the perspective of the industrial chain,Including battery R&D and production、Production design of electric vehicles,And charging infrastructure and other fields,The European automobile industry still has many shortcomings compared to the Chinese automobile industry。
my country’s new energy vehicles are becoming intelligent、Excellent in the application of automation and electrification,It can be said to have created a “new species”。
In the emerging market of new energy vehicles,Chinese car companies show great vitality,The transformation of traditional European car companies is very slow。
So,I think,The European Commission’s move is a trade restrictive measure,The purpose is to leave more time and space for our automobile industry to transform。
Talk about coping
The competent authorities have already intervened at the preliminary decision stage
Sheike Finance: What are the unreasonable aspects of the European Commission’s investigation?
Tu Xinquan:The countervailing investigation launched by the European Commission this time is different from the past,The application is not submitted by the enterprise or labor union,It was initiated by the European Commission itself。This is very rare from a procedural perspective,There is also a suspicion of overstepping one’s duties。In a way,The European Commission’s actions have certain political considerations。
The structure of the countervailing investigation is divided into two stages,The first stage is the preliminary investigation stage,After this stage is over,This produced the preliminary ruling results that everyone sees now。The preliminary investigation process is relatively simple,Can be understood as "prove it to yourself"。European Commission via the Internet、Collect evidence through literature or domestic market research,Draw a preliminary conclusion。
In addition,The European Commission will also investigate companies,For example, conduct a survey by calling or sending a questionnaire,If the Chinese company does not provide relevant data,The European Commission may determine that there is indeed a problem with the company。
But in this investigation,Questionnaire from the European Commission、The phone call also seems to involve some core business secrets and technical secrets of some companies,Such an investigation is abnormal。Because countervailing investigations generally only consider price issues,May involve subsidies、Tax、Ground rent and even water and electricity bills, etc.,Whether it is necessary to involve core technology secrets still needs to be considered。
We noticed,This time the European Commission is more detailed than before when it raises questions about Chinese companies,So it is very difficult for enterprises to make complete preparations in a short period of time。Do you want to provide your own technical secrets,It will also make Chinese companies hesitate。
Overall,We believe that the preliminary conclusions made by the European Commission are incomplete and unconvincing。
Sheike Finance: What kind of signals have the competent authorities issued multiple times?
Tu Xinquan:According to convention,When Chinese companies encounter countervailing investigations,Relevant departments, including the Trade Remedy Bureau of the Ministry of Commerce, will contact relevant parties,Communicate information。
But usually,Our government will not intervene at the preliminary ruling stage,Negotiations with relevant parties are at the final stage。
This time the situation is more special,Maybe it’s because the automobile industry is relatively large,Wide coverage,The political influence is also relatively large。Our country’s official involvement has been relatively formal during the preliminary ruling stage,And provides stronger power support,The level of consultation is also higher than before。
Specific consultation methods,Both parties will first tell the truth and make sense,From a macro perspective, we can talk about the automobile industry cooperation between China and Europe,From a micro w88 mobilew88 casinoperspective, we can tell you what kind of problems there are in the European Commission’s investigation process,For example, the process just mentioned is too short、Not enough time、Problems such as excessive requirements,All can be the content of consultation。The purpose is to communicate、Find win-win points through negotiation,Terminate the other party’s countervailing investigation or reduce the tax rate、Narrow the scope, etc.。
Talk about going overseas
Win-win cooperation between industries can reduce the possibility of conflict
Shell Finance: The European Commission is expected to make a final ruling in early November。Before the final decision is announced,How Chinese car companies respond?
Tu Xinquan:Currently,The investigation process is not over yet,Chinese enterprises must actively respond to investigations。
The European Commission is following a legal process,Our company can respond accordingly in the process。First,Companies can hire lawyers、Accountant,Provide more detailed evidence to the European Commission,Including some unreasonable things towards the other partyFile a defense。Because the European Commission still has to hold hearings,On-site investigation is required,I think Chinese companies still need to continue to do a good job in terms of procedures、Be prepared。
Also,Although I just said that the European Commission’s actions have political considerations,But it is also a very important way to achieve a win-win situation through cooperation between industries。
Some European companies feel the competitive pressure brought by Chinese car companies,Both parties can also try to find ways to cooperate to reduce the concerns of these companies。For example, mutual investment、Technology Sharing,And sales network entry, etc.,To expand common interests,Reduce the likelihood of conflict。
Sheike Finance: What are your predictions for the future development of this case?
Tu Xinquan:I am only expressing my guess,The final countervailing duty does not rule out the hope of cancellation。Including the competent authorities of our country、Many parties, including associations and enterprises, seek fair trade,Made a lot of efforts,Hope that countervailing duties will eventually be cancelled。
Further,Another solution to countervailing duties is “price commitment”,That is, Chinese export companies set a standard for their export prices,Increase export prices。This will weaken competitiveness,Sales may be affected,But there is no need to pay taxes、Profits will also be higher,This is also a method。
Shell Finance: Facing changes in the overseas environment,How can Chinese car companies “go global” better?
Tu Xinquan:Judging from the current countervailing tax rate,Chinese companies are still affected,After all, the cost has increased,The price will also increase,But in the long run, there is no chance at all。Tariffs are not a complete prohibition,Chinese car companies can still enter the European market,But the price and scale may be adjusted。
I think,On the one hand, Chinese car companies still need to continue to explore the European market,Through the adjustment of corporate pricing strategy,Chinese and European enterprises should use investment cooperation and other methods to minimize the impact of additional tariffs on them。Enterprises can also consider technology licensing、Parts export、Enter Europe by investing in factories and other methods。
On the other hand,New energy vehicles have a relatively mature market in Europe,But there are still many emerging markets for Chinese companies to explore。Some Chinese car companies have begun to launch overseas strategies in Southeast Asia and Latin America。
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