China slammed in G7 show of unity threatening trade escalation
China’s engagement in the global system of commerce was roundly criticized by Group of Seven finance chiefs in a show of unity accompanied by a threat of further escalation.
The club of rich-world ministers and central bankers concluded its gathering in the Italian lakeside town of Stresa on Saturday with a communique that cited the world’s second-biggest economy by name and accused the country of hurting the economies of its trade partners.
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“While reaffirming our interest in a balanced and reciprocal collaboration, we express concerns about China’s comprehensive use of non-market policies and practices that undermines our workers, industries, and economic resilience,” they said. “We will continue to monitor the potential negative impacts of overcapacity and will consider taking steps to ensure a level playing field.”
Those words of warning followed the Biden administration’s announcement late on Friday to reimpose tariffs on hundreds of goods imported from China. The escalation in rhetoric could just be the prelude to further tensions if Donald Trump regains the White House in U.S. elections later this year.
Washington remains the key protagonist in pressuring China, though earlier in the week, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen stressed that G7 participants from Germany, France and the European Union also harbor grievances. French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire was one attendee pressing for a united front.
“The issue of tariffs toward China is an objective fact, not a political choice,” Italian Finance Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti, chair of the meeting, told reporters in a final press conference. “When the U.S., with its Inflation Reduction Act, started this type of policy, this forced a reflection, also within the EU, on how to behave in these situations.”
America will allow tariff exclusions to expire on about half of 400 products that had been spared, the office of the U.S. Trade Representative announced on Friday. A further 164 exclusions will be extended through May of next year.
Earlier in the week, China signaled it’s ready to unleash tariffs as high as 25% on imported cars with big engines, highlighting how tussles over automobiles — one of Europe’s biggest industries — loom large in the current dispute.
Chinese manufacturer BYD Co., which overtook Tesla Inc. last year as the biggest global electric vehicle maker, plans to bring its Seagull hatchback to Europe next year. After tariffs and modifications to meet European standards, executives expect to sell it for less than 20,000 euros ($21,500) on the continent.
