In response to the trade war, the Asian giant is investing billions of dollars abroad in plants, especially in industries linked to the energy transition
China is aware that its investments can be a bargaining chip for member states to bring down their trade barriers. At the same time, setting up in the EU would be a way of avoiding tariffs, if they end up being confirmed: cars would have the “produced in the EU” stamp, leaving behind added value, employment and the transfer of knowledge.
Could the EU not just put restrictions on Chinese-owned car companies regardless of where the factory might be located?