Monitor: Fico: EU Tariffs on Chinese Cars Nonsense, Let's Seek Other Ways

(STVR, 'Sobotne dialogy', November 9) The European Union is incapable of competing with China in the sphere of electric cars at the moment and our position won't be improved by introducing tariffs and sanctions but rather by developing higher product quality, which is the goal Slovakia strives for, Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) stated on Radio Slovakia's politics programme 'Sobotne dialogy' (Saturday Dialogues). In Fico's view, slapping high tariffs on Chinese electric cars in the EU is nonsense because once China reciprocates, its response will impact also cars produced and exported by Slovakia. Because of this, Fico called on the European Commission to seek other options. Fico conceded that future US president Donald Trump will promote trade barriers to stifle Chinese imports and thus protect the American market. "America can afford to do that, but the EU cannot compete with China by using sanctions. If we wish to compete with China, we must do so in quality, in price," underlined the Prime Minister. At the same time, the EU must build an infrastructure of charging stations, which it still lacks currently, and produce as many electric car parts in Europe as possible. "And in this, Slovakia is in the lead. Everyone received the news of Slovakia gearing up to build its own battery production facility very positively," said Fico about the Chinese investment in Surany. In this context, Fico touched also on his recent working visit to China, where the investment plan had been definitively confirmed. "China is a country worthy of cooperation, as it gives us as the small country big opportunities," he underlined. Fico is not concerned about potential security threats that might come with Chinese investments, which several opposition politicians warned about. mf