Brussels, 09/07/2012 (Agence Europe) - Chinese threats to investigate EU subsidies to key sectors would force the Commission to delay its action planned against the Chinese hi-tech sector.
According to the Financial Times, Chinese officials warned their European counterparts during a meeting at the end of June about the risk of Beijing investigating subsidies granted to European agriculture, the car sector, renewable energies and telecoms companies, in the event of an investigation being opened against Chinese telecommunication equipment suppliers Huawei and ZTE. According to the British newspaper, concerns about China's response and pressure being exerted by certain member states could lead to the Commission revising its plans and delaying its action until after the summer with regard to Chinese subsidies to the hi-tech sector. In a meeting at the end of May with the Chinese minister for trade, Chen Denming, Karel De Gucht warned him about the risk of EU action being taken with regard to trade protection, which particularly singled out Chinese subsidies to the hi-tech sector. Nonetheless, he did not confirm whether an anti-dumping investigation would be carried out against Chinese telecommunication equipment suppliers. (EH/transl.fl)