Trade disputes between China and Europe have been mounting
over the past year, with both sides exchanging accusations of unfair
competition and protectionism.
China imported $1.57 billion worth of spirits from distilled
grape wine in 2023 through November and France accounts for 99.8% of all EU
brandy exports, according to Chinese customs data.
Industry experts believe the investigation is a tit-for-tat
response to EU probes against China's businesses, and is mainly targeted at
France because it is seen as a more likely to convince the EU to drop some of
its investigations.
Below are some of the views from experts:
ALICIA GARCIA HERRERO, CHIEF ECONOMIST FOR ASIA PACIFIC AT
NATIXIS:
"(Brandy imports) may not be very big in size, but (the
probe) has a very big impact in terms of warning Europe, especially France in
this case, what may happen if the anti-subsidy investigation into European NEVs
(new energy vehicles) continues. And why France? Because, I think, France is
the easiest, big enough European country that can stop this, because Germany
might not ... for Germany now, it is clear that (NEVs) are their largest
industry and ... they don't want to compete with China on their own turf, i.e.
in Europe."
SHAUN REIN, FOUNDER AND MANAGING DIRECTOR OF SHANGHAI-BASED
CHINA MARKET RESEARCH GROUP:
"China's moves are a shot across the bow to let Europe
know that it too can plan hardball against rising protectionism in Europe. Even
Europe's largest companies rely on selling into China. France has also been
vocal in pushing for an independent foreign policy from the U.S. and will push
for closer economic relations with China."
MAX ZENGLEIN, CHIEF ECONOMIST AT THE BERLIN-BASED MERCATOR
INSTITUTE FOR CHINA STUDIES:
"This very much seems to be in response to the EU
probes and more importantly Frances's support in this regard. This is a first,
very targeted response, and aims to serve as a warning towards the EU to tread
carefully. It is still far from the escalation between China and Australia, but
China is following a well-established pattern on applying economic pressure
while limiting the damage to its own economy."
ALICJA BACHULSKA, POLICY FELLOW AT THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL ON
FOREIGN RELATIONS:
"My first reaction to this brandy story is that it's
quite bizarre and funny. However, given that brandy exports to China have been
on the rise in recent years, and alcohol constitutes a considerable chunk of
French exports to China, this move is not only symbolic – it might constitute a
financial blow to some French producers. And while unlike EVs (electric
vehicles), brandy is not a strategically important product, it is part of
France's soft power and cultural appeal in China, alongside other luxury products."
BALA RAMASAMY, PROFESSOR OF ECONOMICS, ASSOCIATE DEAN AT THE
CHINA EUROPE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS SCHOOL:
"Any country or region that has a bloated trade deficit
with China will find ways to reduce it, quite often at its own detriment. The
EU's investigations into China's star EV industry will definitely be met with
equal retaliation. Nearly all of China's import of brandy is from France, and
given decreasing demand for it in recent months, the action is more optic than
its effect. Unfortunately, market power and industrial policies are so vague
that anything could be seen as trade distorting."
FRENCH COGNAC INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION, BUREAU NATIONAL
INTERPROFESSIONNEL DU COGNAC:
"This investigation takes place in the context of a
trade disagreement between the European Union and China on other industrial
sectors, unrelated to our activity. We are confident that our products and
commercial practices fully comply with Chinese and international regulations
... Technical cooperation in the spirit sector is excellent and historic
between the two trading partners."
EDWARD MUNDY, EQUITY ANALYST AND ANDREI ANDON-IONITA, EQUITY
ASSOCIATE AT JEFFERIES:
"The anti-dumping probe adds to existing negative
sentiment on imports of cognac into China, over and above the weak macro and
regulatory considerations. The Chinese domestic brandy industry is de minimis,
with the investigation possibly a response to the anti-subsidy probe into
Chinese EVs."
Reuters
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