China Criticizes EU's Subsidy Investigation As Protectionist

China has accused the European Union (EU) of protectionism and misrepresentation regarding subsidies in response to a new EU investigation into Chinese wind turbine makers, as reported by Ken Moritsugu for the Associated Press (AP).

The EU launched the investigation to scrutinize whether Chinese subsidies unfairly benefit wind turbine companies competing for projects in Spain, Greece, France, Romania, and Bulgaria. I Photo: taylorandayumi Wikimedia Commons

A Chinese trade remedies official expressed concerns over the issue during a meeting with Martin Lukas, the EU director general for trade defense in Brussels. The Commerce Ministry criticized the EU's alleged distortion of subsidy definitions and the lack of transparency in procedural standards during the investigation.

The EU launched the investigation, part of a series against Chinese companies under new regulations, to scrutinize whether Chinese subsidies unfairly benefit wind turbine companies competing for projects in Spain, Greece, France, Romania, and Bulgaria.

The EU Commissioner for Competition, Margrethe Vestager, emphasized the use of available tools in announcing the move. The investigations encompass various sectors including solar panels, electric trains, electric cars, and wind turbines.