On Thursday, China’s Ministry of Commerce expressed concern regarding proposed protectionist measures by the European Union (EU) in the biodiesel sector, warning that such actions could have adverse consequences, reported Xinhua.
According to ministry spokesperson He Yongqian, who spoke at a regular press conference, the EU, as the world’s largest biodiesel market, imports biodiesel from China to fulfill its substantial consumption needs, contributing to its goals of environmental transformation and energy conservation.
The statement follows the announcement on July 19 by the European Biodiesel Board, which revealed that the European Commission intends to impose provisional anti-dumping duties ranging from 12.8% to 36.4% on biodiesel imports from China within the next four weeks, as detailed in a pre-disclosure document released the same day.
The spokesperson emphasized that taxing Chinese biodiesel imports would likely raise product costs, adversely affecting EU industries and consumers, and potentially hindering the EU’s efforts towards environmental sustainability and economic cooperation with China.
China advocates for the cautious use of trade remedy measures and urges the EU to refrain from adopting protectionist policies without careful consideration. The spokesperson underscored the importance of resolving these issues through dialogue and consultation to address legitimate concerns.
