'Made in Europe' Should Not Become a Tool to Pressure Other Countries
According to a Financial Times report on September 25, the EU has urged the UK to raise tariffs on Chinese cars, and align its trade policies more closely with the bloc. The move aims to shield British exports to the EU from its "Made in Europe" policy. The so-called "Made in Europe" policy is a set of measures to prop up local manufacturing via industrial subsidies and trade barriers. Its core is the Industrial Accelerator Act unveiled this March. The EU demand exposes its hegemonic mindset in trade policy. Higher tariffs on Chinese cars go against Britain's national interests. Relatively low tariffs on Chinese cars is a vital reason for the UK to stay ahead of the EU in automotive electrification. The EU should not practice protectionism in the name of "Made in Europe", still less use it as a tool to pressure other economies.
