In a bold response, China has voiced its strong disapproval of the European Commission's investigation into Goldwind Science & Technology, a prominent Chinese wind turbine manufacturer. The Chinese government has labeled this scrutiny as both "targeted" and "discriminatory," suggesting that such actions could erode the trust Chinese companies have in the European marketplace and hinder the European Union’s efforts toward a sustainable green transition.
The Ministry of Commerce of China released a statement on Wednesday, expressing concerns over the European Union's approach. They argued that the investigations are rooted in a flawed understanding of what constitutes "foreign subsidies." The ministry criticized the EU for lacking sufficient evidence to justify the initiation of these cases and for not being transparent in its procedural methods. It further stated, "This represents a classic instance of adopting protectionist policies under the guise of promoting fair competition."
On Monday, the European Commission disclosed its decision to conduct a detailed inquiry under its foreign subsidies regulation (FSR), a framework that was established in 2023 and has increasingly been applied to scrutinize various Chinese industries, including rail transport and solar energy sectors.
This latest probe aims to determine if financial assistance from the Chinese government has unlawfully bolstered Goldwind's competitive edge within the European market. Initial findings from Brussels indicate that there may be indications suggesting that Goldwind received foreign subsidies that could distort competition in the internal market.
China's commerce ministry defended its renewable energy companies, emphasizing their competitive strength is attributable to significant innovation and advanced technology. They cautioned that the EU's perceived misuse of investigative measures could adversely affect cooperation between China and Europe, as well as diminish Chinese firms’ confidence in the EU's market environment and the bloc's ecological goals.
China urged the EU to promptly rectify its investigative practices, advising a more cautious and restrained application of the foreign subsidies regulation. Furthermore, it called for the establishment of a fair and predictable market landscape that would facilitate collaboration between both parties. In conclusion, China vowed to implement necessary measures to protect the legitimate rights and interests of its enterprises, asserting its commitment to ensuring a level playing field.
