BRICS: The Trade War Between China and the EU is Intensifying

A new front of economic tensions is opening between China and the European Union and threatens to disrupt the global trade balance. In response to the EU’s proposals to impose tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, China, an influential member of the BRICS, has warned of the potential for a trade war.

Escalation of Trade Frictions

China has expressed its displeasure at the European Union‘s decision to impose tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. A spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Commerce warned that this measure could trigger a trade war for which “the responsibility would lie entirely with the European side“. This statement comes after the EU proposed high tariffs on imports of electric vehicles from China, arguing that they benefit from unfair subsidies that distort competition. Beijing, for its part, criticizes these measures as excessive and points out that they could severely disrupt economic relations between the two blocs.

The European Union justifies its proposals by claiming that Chinese electric vehicles are flooding the market at artificially low prices thanks to massive state subsidies, thus creating unfair competition for European manufacturers. This position has been firmly rejected by China, which sees it as an attempt at disguised protectionism. As a result, trade tensions between these two economic giants have intensified, raising fears of an escalation that could go far beyond the electric vehicle sector and affect overall Sino-European trade.

Strategic Responses from the BRICS

In response to the escalation of tensions with the European Union, China and other BRICS members, such as Brazil, Russia, India, and South Africa, are stepping up their efforts to counter Western measures. The most notable initiative is dedollarization, which aims to reduce their reliance on the US dollar by promoting the use of local currencies for international transactions. This strategy is seen as a way to strengthen their economic independence and protect their economies from fluctuations in the US market.

The potential implications of this confrontation are vast. If a trade war were to erupt, it could disrupt not only the electric vehicle sector but also the entire economic exchange between China and the EU. European companies could face retaliatory measures in the form of tariffs or trade restrictions, further exacerbating the already fragile economic situation of certain industries. Furthermore, the acceleration of dedollarization efforts could alter the dynamics of international trade and encourage other nations to join this initiative to reduce their own dependence on the US dollar.