Story perspectives

China Threatens Countermeasures Over EU Green Procurement Rules

4/27/2026

Summary

Story summary

China’s Ministry of Commerce says the EU’s Industrial Acceleration Act creates discriminatory barriers for foreign investors in green sectors.
The act targets batteries, electric vehicles, photovoltaics and critical raw materials and adds “EU origin” exclusivity clauses to public procurement.
China submitted comments on April 24 urging the EU to drop local-content rules, mandatory IP transfers and procurement restrictions, warning it will consider countermeasures if the law harms Chinese companies’ rights.

History

Historical Context

In 2008 the European Union, via the European Commission, levied anti-dumping duties of up to 47.6% on Chinese solar makers such as Suntech Power, covering about €1.6 billion in trade. The move built on earlier EU trade-defence rules and foreshadowed the 2024 Industrial Acceleration Act, which again ties market access for batteries and photovoltaics to “EU origin” clauses, reviving Sino-EU tensions.

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Story summary

China’s Ministry of Commerce says the EU’s Industrial Acceleration Act creates discriminatory barriers for foreign investors in green sectors.
The act targets batteries, electric vehicles, photovoltaics and critical raw materials and adds “EU origin” exclusivity clauses to public procurement.
China submitted comments on April 24 urging the EU to drop local-content rules, mandatory IP transfers and procurement restrictions, warning it will consider countermeasures if the law harms Chinese companies’ rights.

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