China's Commerce Ministry urges UK to 'think twice' on limits on Chinese electric cars
In short
China's Commerce Ministry said on 19 October that it would take firm countermeasures if the UK insists on restricting Chinese electric vehicles. The spokesperson was responding to media reports that a UK minister said Britain and the EU must act in step on China's dominance in the car industry.
Read the full story 1 min read
A Commerce Ministry spokesperson answered a reporter's question on 19 October about remarks by a British minister on China's position in the car industry, according to the ministry's website as cited by China News Service. Xinhua, CLS, Jiemian and 36Kr carried the full question and answer. [ 7 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 13 ]
The question said that media reports had quoted Sawaer (萨瓦尔), the UK minister of state for business and trade, as saying that Britain and the EU must act in step to respond to China's dominant position in the car industry. The reports also said the UK is still discussing with European partners the question of imposing additional tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. The reporter asked what China made of this. [ 7 , 10 , 11 , 13 ]
The spokesperson replied that the ministry had noted the reports. The spokesperson said China-UK car industry cooperation is complementary and mutually beneficial, and that the two countries are important economic and trade partners. The spokesperson urged the UK to abide by World Trade Organization rules, to think twice and not to follow the EU's lead. [ 7 , 10 , 11 , 13 ]
The spokesperson added that China will watch the UK's moves closely. If the UK insists on restrictive measures against Chinese electric vehicles, China will take firm countermeasures to protect the lawful rights of Chinese industry, the spokesperson said. Xinhua later published an item headlined that the ministry urged the UK to think twice, and Jiemian included the answer in its morning briefing on 20 October. [ 7 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 14 ]
Why it matters
The statement is an official Chinese warning to the UK over possible limits on Chinese electric vehicles. The documents give no detail on what measures either side may take.
Key facts
- A Commerce Ministry spokesperson answered a reporter's question on 19 October about the UK's remarks on China's position in the car industry. [ 7 , 9 , 10 , 11 ]
- The question cited media reports that Sawaer (萨瓦尔), the UK minister of state for business and trade, said the UK and the EU must act in step to respond to China's dominant position in the car industry. [ 7 , 10 , 11 , 13 ]
- The reports also said the UK is still discussing with European partners the question of imposing additional tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. [ 7 , 10 , 11 , 13 ]
- The spokesperson said China-UK car industry cooperation is complementary and mutually beneficial, and that the two countries are important economic and trade partners. [ 7 , 10 , 11 , 13 ]
- The spokesperson urged the UK to abide by World Trade Organization rules, to think twice and not to follow the EU's lead. [ 7 , 10 , 11 , 13 ]
- The spokesperson said China will watch the UK's moves closely and will take firm countermeasures if the UK insists on restrictive measures against Chinese electric vehicles. [ 7 , 10 , 11 , 13 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- What measures the UK will take on Chinese electric vehicles. The question put to the ministry says only that the UK is still discussing additional tariffs with European partners; no document reports a UK decision.
- What the countermeasures would be. The spokesperson said China would take firm countermeasures if the UK insists on restrictions but gave no details.
- Exactly what the UK minister said. The documents give his remarks only as they appear in the question, which cites unnamed media reports.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- CLS publishes the Commerce Ministry spokesperson's answer dated 19 October. [ 7 ]
- Xinhua publishes the question and answer under the headline that the ministry responded to the UK's remarks. [ 11 ]
- Xinhua publishes an item headlined that the ministry urged the UK to think twice (20 October). [ 12 ]
- 36Kr publishes the full question and answer (20 October). [ 13 ]