STORY: EU's protectionist tariffs on Chinese EVs reflects anxiety and fear: Spanish economist
SHOOTING TIME: Oct. 9, 2024
DATELINE: Oct. 11, 2024
LENGTH: 00:00:52
LOCATION: BARCELONA, Spain
CATEGORY: ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. SOUNDBITE (Spanish): RAMON CALDUCH, Spanish economist 

STORYLINE:

The European Union's (EU) recent move to impose punitive tariffs on Chinese battery electric vehicles (EVs) despite internal divisions "reflects Europe's anxiety and fear of being left behind," Spanish economist Ramon Calduch told Xinhua in an interview on Wednesday.

According to news reports, 12 EU member states, including Spain, abstained from the vote, five opposed the measure, and only 10 voted in favor.

SOUNDBITE (Spanish): RAMON CALDUCH, Spanish economist
"China has a different system and is a competitor and a friendly competitor, but I think the tariff issue reflects Europe's anxiety and fear of being left behind and how it looks to the Atlantic and the United States especially. But it's time we put these complexes behind us.
Spain is once again failing to take advantage of an opportunity. We, and in particular our politicians and negotiators, need to understand that Spain is well-liked in China and is a country that China considers a friend.
Huawei is an example of a company whose technology can compete with that of any other in the world. I think it would be interesting for us to work with these companies and do business here, there and anywhere, because the Chinese make good business partners."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Barcelona, Spain.
(XHTV)