Current location:opinions >>
Von der Leyen probe draws sharp criticism
opinions16339People have gathered around
IntroductionEuropean Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivers the State of the European Union address ...
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivers the State of the European Union address to the European Parliament, in Strasbourg, France, September 13, 2023. [Photo/Agencies]
In her last State of the Union address on Wednesday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen touted her achievements and took swipes at China, including announcing the launch of an anti-subsidy probe into Chinese electric vehicles.
But her speech drew sharp criticism for being self-congratulatory and failing to mention many key issues critical to the European Union.
Von der Leyen claimed that "we have delivered 90 percent of the political guidelines" she presented in 2019 when she took office for the five-year term.
She lauded her success in the European Green Deal, gender equality, digital transition, the 800 billion euro ($859 billion) NextGenerationEU investment and reform initiative, and building a Health Union, and helping the EU to become more independent in critical sectors such as energy, chips and raw materials and in helping Ukraine in its conflict with Russia.
However, she did not say whether she will seek reelection in the European election in June next year.
Von der Leyen took multiple shots at China in her one-hour speech, accusing China of "unfair trade practices" in the solar industry and criticizing China's recent export control measures on gallium and germanium.
She then alleged that "global markets are now flooded with cheaper Chinese electric cars" and "their price is kept artificially low by huge state subsidies".
Von der Leyen announced that the commission is launching an anti-subsidy investigation into electric vehicles coming from China.
But she also said it is equally vital to keep open lines of communication and dialogue with China.
However, Von der Leyen made no mention of the US' Inflation Reduction Act, which has discriminated against foreign-made electric cars, including from the EU. The EU has reacted by adapting its state aid rules and legislative proposals, and is discussing other possible responses.
In a statement, the China Chamber of Commerce to the EU said it was deeply concerned and opposes the EU's announcement regarding Chinese EVs.
It said the success of Chinese EVs, which are welcomed by European consumers, does not rely on the alleged subsidy.
"We urge the EU to objectively look at China's EV development and not to resort to unilateral trade tools to block China's EVs in the EU and raise their costs," the statement said.
Qin Yan, a carbon analyst based in Oslo with financial data provider Refinitiv, said Von der Leyen emphasized staying course on Green Deal, but did not mention many concrete measures.
"Instead, she has continued to tone on 'de-risking' from China and solid supply chain etc, and the launch of an anti-subsidy investigation of Chinese EVs, as France requested," Qin said.
"So this is more of a campaign speech with lots of China bashing than delivering concrete measures regarding the Green Deal."
Ryszard Legutko, co-chair of the European Conservatives and Reformists, lashed out in front of von der Leyen.
"Is the EU in better shape today than 15 years ago? The answer is an emphatic no," he said. "Something is rotten in the State of the Union. There is more than ever instability, tension and uncertainty."
"As expected lots of self-congratulatory statements," Bas Eickhout, a Dutch MEP of the Greens Group, wrote on X.
"But for the future? Very meager on Green Deal, lots of competitiveness bullshit bingo and very many dialogues. This is more an EPP Spitzenkandidatin speech ..." he said, clearly referring to von der Leyen who has come under great pressure under her own European People's Party on climate and migration policies.
Tags:
Reprint:Friends are welcome to share on the Internet, but please indicate the source of the article when reprinting it.“Planet Pulse news portal”。http://france.graduatethesis.org/news-85a899838.html
Related articles
Children are evacuated from school 'during an exam' after threat made via email
opinionsChildren have been evacuated from a school with Year 11 students told to leave mid-exam after a thre ...
【opinions】
Read moreNew rules to help improve flow of data
opinionsAuthorities said earlier this week that they would roll out ownership rules this year to facilitate ...
【opinions】
Read moreMarlins' Jake Burger placed on injured list with left intercostal muscle strain
opinionsMIAMI (AP) — The Marlins placed infielder Jake Burger on the 10-day injured list Monday because of a ...
【opinions】
Read more
Popular articles
- Young Boys seals 6th Swiss soccer league title in 7 years after rallying from firing coach Wicky
- How 'dream life' TV family
- Junta shelling, airstrikes kill 25 Rohingyas in Myanmar’s Rakhine state — Radio Free Asia
- Donald Trump brings his campaign to the courthouse as his criminal hush money trial begins
- Justin Timberlake set to bring his The Forget Tomorrow World Tour to Australia in 2025
- Texas A&M rides dominating sweep of Vandy to top of college baseball rankings
Latest articles
Elon Musk gets approval from FDA to implant his Neuralink brain chip into a second patient
How major US stock indexes fared Monday, 4/15/2024
Police declare Sydney church stabbing a terror attack 'motivated by religious extremism'
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay: Endangered Bornean orangutan born in Florida
Britain's new bonkers EV: Callum Skye is an £80k electric buggy built in Warwickshire
Maine is the latest to join an interstate compact to elect the president by popular vote
LINKS
- In pics: World Snooker International Championship 2023
- How Will China Consolidate Poverty Alleviation Feats?
- Boao Forum for Asia Focuses on Green Recovery, Sustainable Development
- China Releases List of Most
- China Unveils Plan to Boost Healthcare for Women, Children
- Farmers Work in Sugar Cane Fields in Dahua Township, Guangxi
- China Prioritizes Job
- China Has 570,000 Public Legal Service Centers: Ministry
- Xinhua Headlines: From Serfdom to Freedom — Tibet's Progress on Democracy, Human Rights
- Meet China's first corgi police dog