China criticised the EU’s carbon border tax, saying the bloc was using climate policy as a “pretext to promote new trade protectionism”. The EU’s new rules, which came into effect on Thursday, aim to protect European companies by requiring foreign firms in high-polluting industries to comply with its environmental standards or pay a levy. The benchmarks, which effectively determine the carbon cost importers face at the border when verified data are unavailable, are inconsistent with China’s current conditions or future development trajectory and “constitute unfair and discriminatory treatment” against the country, Chinese officials said. Chinse ministery suggested it could retaliate: “We will resolutely take all necessary measures to respond to any unfair trade restrictions” to safeguard China’s development interests and maintain global supply chain stability.
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China criticised the EU’s carbon border tax, saying the bloc was using climate policy as a “pretext to promote new trade protectionism”. The EU’s new rules, which came into effect on Thursday, aim to protect European companies by requiring foreign firms in high-polluting industries to comply with its environmental standards or pay a levy. The benchmarks, which effectively determine the carbon cost importers face at the border when verified data are unavailable, are inconsistent with China’s current conditions or future development trajectory and “constitute unfair and discriminatory treatment” against the country, Chinese officials said. Chinse ministery suggested it could retaliate: “We will resolutely take all necessary measures to respond to any unfair trade restrictions” to safeguard China’s development interests and maintain global supply chain stability.