China Condemns EU's 'Discriminatory' Subsidy Probe on Wind Turbine Giant Goldwind
China has vehemently criticized the European Commission's anti-subsidy probe into Goldwind Science & Technology, a prominent Chinese wind turbine manufacturer. The Chinese government has labeled the investigation as 'targeted' and 'discriminatory', warning that it could severely impact Chinese companies' trust in the European market and disrupt the bloc's ambitious green energy transition.
The Ministry of Commerce in China issued a statement on Wednesday, detailing the concerns. It argued that the European side's investigations have broadened the definition of 'foreign subsidies' and are flawed, citing insufficient evidence for initiating cases and a lack of procedural transparency.
'This is a clear case of protectionism disguised as fair competition,' the statement added, emphasizing the potential negative impact on China-EU relations.
The European Commission's probe, announced on Monday under the Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR), is examining whether financial support from Beijing has unfairly bolstered Goldwind's position in the European market. Brussels claims its preliminary investigations have uncovered 'signs' that the company may have received foreign subsidies, distorting competition within the internal market.
China's commerce ministry, however, defended the competitive edge of Chinese renewable energy firms, attributing it to their strong innovation and technological prowess. It further emphasized that the EU's 'abuse of investigations' could harm China-EU cooperation, undermine Chinese companies' confidence in the EU, and jeopardize the bloc's green energy goals.
The Chinese government urged the EU to rectify its practices, exercise caution and restraint in using the FSR, and foster a fair, just, and predictable market environment for bilateral cooperation. Beijing also threatened to take 'necessary measures' to protect the rights and interests of Chinese enterprises.
This dispute highlights the ongoing tensions between China and the EU over trade and economic policies, particularly in the renewable energy sector. The outcome of this probe could have significant implications for the future of China-EU economic relations and the global renewable energy market.
