Asia and the EU

Latest news about Asia and the European Union

Asia and the EU

France backs plan for punitive EU levies on China — 28 May 2013, 14:59 CET

France on Tuesday said it backed European moves to impose punitive levies on solar panels imported from China, a measure opposed by several states including Germany.

EU warns on China influence, offers opening on solar dispute — 27 May 2013, 22:16 CET

The European Commission warned Monday against undue Chinese influence as Germany led growing opposition among EU member states to a planned punitive levy on imports of solar panels from China.

China asks for EU talks on solar trade dispute — 27 May 2013, 17:51 CET

China has asked for a meeting with the EU Trade Commissioner amid a series of tit-for-tat disputes as Germany led growing opposition to a planned punitive levy on imports of Chinese solar panels.

China opens dumping move against EU chemicals: report — 27 May 2013, 15:07 CET

China has told the European Commission that it will open complaint procedures for dumping against some European chemical companies, notably Belgian group Solvay, the newspaper Les Echos reported on Monday.

EU, China to hold talks on trade dispute — 27 May 2013, 13:16 CET

EU and Chinese trade officials will meet informally on Monday amid a series of tit-for-tat disputes, the European Commission said, after news of yet another row, this time over chemicals, surfaced.

China opens dumping move against EU chemicals: report — 27 May 2013, 10:51 CET

China has told the European Commission that it will open complaint procedures for dumping against some European chemical companies, notably Belgian group Solvay, the newspaper Les Echos reported on Monday.

Merkel, Li urge dialogue to defuse EU-China trade spats — 26 May 2013, 22:17 CET

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and China's Premier Li Keqiang urged Sunday for talks to avert brewing trade spats between Beijing and the EU, warning that protectionist measures would hurt both sides.

Swiss-China trade deal a symbol amid spats with EU — 26 May 2013, 12:51 CET

Applauded by Switzerland's business sector, the country's free-trade deal with China is heavy with symbolism, coming as Beijing locks horns with the European Union in a raft of commercial disputes.

Million doses of fake aspirin from China seized in France — 26 May 2013, 00:02 CET

French customs officers have seized 1.2 million doses of counterfeit aspirin from China, the biggest haul of fake medicines ever in France and the EU, the economy ministry announced Saturday.

China premier criticises EU for telecom probe, solar panel tax — 25 May 2013, 20:27 CET

China's Premier Li Keqiang has slammed the European Union for plans to probe the country's telecom products and impose taxes on its solar panels, Chinese state media reported on Saturday.

Negotiations for an investment agreement with China — 23 May 2013, 13:41 CET

The European Commission decided today to ask the EU Member States for their agreement on a mandate to open negotiations on an investment agreement with China. This is the first ever proposal for a stand-alone investment agreement since foreign direct investment became the exclusive competence of the EU under the Lisbon Treaty.

EU seeks China investment accord as first step to free trade deal — 23 May 2013, 16:47 CET

The EU wants to negotiate an investment protection accord as a first step towards a wider Free Trade Agreement with China, one of its biggest trading partners despite a series of tit-for-tat disputes.

EU, China have much to lose if trade war breaks out: analysts — 19 May 2013, 13:43 CET

The latest tit-for-tat EU-China trade disputes could signal worse to come but both sides have a lot to lose if things get out of hand and harm the much-needed economic growth they seek, say analystsc.

Japan's economic rebound a recipe for Europe? — 19 May 2013, 13:39 CET

The recovery of the Japanese economy, just as a recession in Europe digs in, is renewing pressure on European policy-makers to shift course from austerity to stimulus.

China 'will not accept' carbon tax on EU flights: report — 18 May 2013, 17:38 CET

China will not pay for CO2 emissions by its airlines on flights within Europe, a top civil aviation official reportedly said after the European Commission warned eight Chinese firms face fines for non-payment.

Greek PM in China touts country as European 'gateway' — 17 May 2013, 20:51 CET

Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras on Friday touted his troubled but improving economy as an attractive entry point for Chinese investment into the European Union.

Chinese, Indian airlines face EU pollution fines — 17 May 2013, 12:09 CET

Eight Chinese and two Indian airlines face fines of up to several million euros for not paying for their greenhouse gas emissions during flights within the bloc, the European Commission said on Friday.

China warns EU to drop telecom probe, solar panel tax — 16 May 2013, 11:16 CET

China on Thursday warned the European Union against escalating bilateral trade disputes, urging Brussels to drop plans to probe Chinese telecom products and impose hefty taxes on its solar panels.

EU warns China of telecoms probe — 15 May 2013, 16:02 CET

The EU has alerted China to its decision to launch an anti-dumping and anti-subsidy probe involving the mobile telecommunications networks sector, Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht announced on Wednesday.

Pakistan vote step forward, but irregularities: EU — 13 May 2013, 16:19 CET

High turnout in Pakistan's landmark election was a positive step for democracy even though the campaign was marred by violence and irregularities, a European Union observer mission said Monday.

China to probe steel tube imports in trade dispute — 10 May 2013, 15:26 CET

China said Friday it was investigating some steel tube imports from the European Union, Japan and the United States over allegations that products had been sold at below market price.

China warns EU against protectionism on solar panels — 09 May 2013, 13:30 CET

Beijing urged the European Union on Thursday to avoid engaging in protectionism, after Brussels proposed an anti-dumping levy on imports of Chinese solar panels.

EU clears Volvo, Dongfeng trucks tie-up — 08 May 2013, 16:29 CET

The European Commission approved Wednesday a tie-up between Sweden's Volvo Trucks and China's Dongfeng Motor which will create the world's biggest lorry maker ahead of Germany's Daimler.

EU readies heavy tariff on China solar panels — 08 May 2013, 16:29 CET

The European Commission proposed Wednesday an 'urgently needed' anti-dumping levy on imports of Chinese solar panels, allegedly unfairly subsidised by a government that has retaliated in kind to similar moves.

EU hesitant on free trade deal with China: source — 07 May 2013, 15:41 CET

Even as it seeks free trade deals with the United States and Japan, the EU sees little near-term prospect of a similar accord with China, one of the bloc's most important trading partners, a senior EU official said on Tuesday.