China has condemned the investigation as an act of naked protectionism designed to insulate European carmakers from their niftier Chinese rivals. Mr Dombrovskis promised that it would be conducted fairly, in accordance with “well-established rules” and in consultation with Chinese authorities and stakeholders.
The trade commissioner criticised Beijing’s neutral stance on the war in Ukraine and its failure to condemn Russia’s invasion or to join in western sanctions against Moscow. He said that China’s stance was difficult to understand in view of Beijing’s longstanding position that each country should be free to choose its own development path.
China’s foreign ministry rejected Mr Dombrovskis’s criticism, dismissing his claim that Beijing’s focus on national security was undermining the business environment for European companies with Chinese operations.