The European Union (EU) at present is unable to compete with China in the field of electromobility. However, we will not improve our position by introducing tariffs and sanctions, but by developing this area and increasing quality, which Slovakia is also trying to do. This was announced by the Prime Minister in the STVR discussion program Sobotné dialogy Robert Fico (Smer-SD).
He called the introduction of a high tariff on Chinese electric cars in the EU nonsense. When China retaliates, it will also affect cars manufactured and exported from Slovakia. According to his own words, he also called on the European Commission (EC) to look for other options.
Fico admitted that the new US President Donald Trump will enforce trade barriers for imports from China to protect the US market. “America can afford it, but the European Union cannot compete with China with sanctions. If we want to compete with China, we have to compete in quality, we have to compete in price,” emphasized the prime minister.
At the same time, a structure of charging stations, which are still lacking, must be created in the EU, and as many components as possible for the production of electric vehicles should also be produced in Europe. “And in this Slovakia is the winner. Everyone very positively received the news that Slovakia is going to have a battery factory,” Fico highlighted the upcoming investment of the Chinese company Gotion near Šurany.
In this context, he again recalled the recent working trip to China, during which, among other things, the definitive confirmation of this investment took place. “China is a country worth cooperating with, which gives us a small country great opportunities,” underlined the prime minister. According to his own words, he is not afraid of the possible security threats associated with Chinese investments, which several opposition representatives have warned against.
