EU Increases Tariffs on China to 235.6%
As the saying goes, there is no most shameless, only more shameless. It was thought that after witnessing the United States' actions towards its junior ally Japan, the European Union would re-examine its relationship with the U.S. However, after imposing tariffs on Chinese cars, the EU is now considering taxing Chinese erythritol at a rate as high as 235.6%.
It has to be said that the EU's shameless behavior is truly unexpected. While benefiting from the dividends of China's development, the EU is also targeting China on behalf of the U.S. Does the EU really believe that the U.S. will share the spoils of sanctioning China? Or do they think that China will only tolerate and not take any action against them? It can only be said that the EU may be dreaming a pipe dream.
Acting as an accomplice to the tiger?
It was initially thought that with Biden's withdrawal from the race and the increased likelihood of Trump's return, the EU would re-examine its relationship with China. However, not only has the EU failed to restrain itself, but it has also intensified its actions. Imposing tariffs on Chinese cars was not enough; now it is considering a 235.6% tariff on Chinese erythritol. Is the EU clearly intending to continue acting as an accomplice to the tiger and sanction China?
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What was originally a game between China and the U.S., the EU has chosen to join at the last minute, becoming a powerful tool for the U.S. to confront China.
At the U.S. vote on imposing tariffs on Chinese cars, the EU passed the resolution with a majority in favor, without considering the old ties between China and the EU.
It is important to remember that with the gradual opening and development of international trade, China and the EU have engaged in very deep cooperation. However, now, China and the EU have reached a point of drawing swords against each other.
After the EU agreed to impose taxes on Chinese cars, China did not hesitate to take action, initiating anti-dumping investigations on pork and brandy from EU countries. China had hoped that this would lead the EU to turn back, but instead, news came that the EU was going to impose a 235.6% tariff on Chinese erythritol.
This has truly chilled the hearts of the Chinese people. Faced with China's sanctions, the EU has not reflected but has instead intensified its actions, seemingly determined to bring China down.
What exactly is this erythritol that the EU is targeting, that it would offend China again at such a critical moment?It used to be said that food is the most important thing for people. With the development of society, people have shifted from the simple issue of food and clothing to the concept of a healthy lifestyle.
Erythritol, a new type of sweetener, perfectly fits this healthy concept. Its sweetness is very similar to sucrose, and its sweetness is only about 70% to 80% of that of sucrose. This means that although it can also give food a sweet taste, it avoids the problem of excessive calories caused by the sweetness of sucrose. What we see now is erythritol, this novel and unique sweetener, which has quickly conquered various food markets like a tornado.
Whether it's zero-calorie sports drinks, or low-sugar cakes with a relatively fresh and natural taste, or those delicious and healthy selected snacks, people can easily find the figure of erythritol.
Moreover, whether you are baking food at high temperatures or operating in an acidic environment, erythritol is quite stable and will not be decomposed.
So, for those friends who are keen on a healthy diet, this pure natural sweetener is simply their savior!
Europeans are famous for their love of sweet foods, from sweet bread in the morning, to chocolate in the afternoon tea, and then to desserts after dinner, every meal is inseparable from the company of sweetness.
Erythritol, such as sugar substitute products, not only satisfies their desire for sweetness, but also avoids the intake of too many calories, and naturally becomes the new favorite in the market.
China is the world's largest manufacturing base and exporting country of erythritol. With the increasing demand for erythritol, many enterprises such as Sanyuan Biology and Baolingbao have also emerged in China.
In the domestic production of erythritol, Sanyuan Biology, with its strong production capacity and excellent market share, firmly occupies the first place. According to data, Sanyuan Biology's overseas sales accounted for 76.8% of its total revenue in 2023, and 18.8% of this 76.8% was sold to Europe.This sufficiently illustrates the high demand for erythritol in the European market. However, the European Union (EU) has announced the imposition of a 235.6% tariff at this moment. Is it merely to protect its own domestic industries, or is it to demonstrate loyalty to the United States? Perhaps only they know the answer.
Now that the EU has made its stance towards China clear, choosing to act as an accomplice, completely disregarding China's suggestions, China has no choice but to follow the EU's thoughts and defend its legitimate rights and interests.
China's strong counterattack
As the saying goes, launching one effective attack can avoid a long battle with the opponent. Since the EU has shown no concern for China's previous sanctions, China need not consider past feelings and repeatedly hope for the EU to turn back. After all, those who pretend to sleep can never be awakened.
In 1949, after the victory of the three major campaigns, Mao Zedong said, "Fight, fight across the Yangtze River, and liberate all of China." This fight also led to the China of later times. Seventy-five years later, China stands at the crossroads of a "war," although it is a battle without smoke, and although we are still alone.
But China is not a pushover that can be bullied at will. For those who arbitrarily shift the blame, we have to take decisive countermeasures.
On July 23rd, China's Ministry of Commerce announced that it would begin an anti-dumping review of stainless steel products from the EU, the UK, South Korea, and Indonesia.
In this way, it is not only a strong counterattack against the EU's previous sanctions on China's erythritol products but also fully demonstrates China's firm stance in dealing with international trade disputes.
The start of the anti-dumping review means that China is about to conduct a new inspection of stainless steel goods imported from abroad. If anything is found amiss, it will indeed be necessary to implement stronger measures based on the truth revealed by the investigation.
China's stainless steel market is huge, and the demand for imports is significant. Therefore, the conduct of this anti-dumping review will definitely put pressure on countries that export steel.Given that the European Union is determined to put China in a dire situation, we in China will not stand idly by in the face of EU sanctions. Instead, we will take concrete actions to strike back forcefully.
Solving the issue with minor skirmishes is not enough; perhaps only by raising tariffs appropriately, as we have done with German cars and Airbus, will they truly feel the pain! This is, in fact, a classic trade war. While it can hit the opponent, it comes at a cost to oneself. Others have just not yet come up with a response strategy; it is by no means a case of being helpless.
The EU's continued unilateral imposition of tariffs will only provoke unnecessary conflicts and frictions, and we reserve our opinions on this matter.
Therefore, China will take corresponding countermeasures to defend its trade rights and the normal operation of the market.
Furthermore, China eagerly anticipates that the EU will cease its protectionist actions as soon as possible, resolve differences through dialogue and consultation, and achieve the goal of win-win trade cooperation.
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