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China is one of several countries to have aired concerns within
the WTO over the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)
designed to prevent European industry being undercut by cheaper
goods from countries with weaker environmental rules.
"The EU-proposed carbon border adjustment mechanism has raised
doubts among many WTO members," said He Yadong, a commerce
ministry spokesperson, while urging the EU to "avoid creating
protectionist measures and green trade barriers."
"Under the framework of the WTO, China is willing to work with
all parties to promote multilateral discussion on green trade,"
He added.
"Countries should adhere to multilateralism and the principle of
common but differentiated responsibilities," He said, "and work
together to address climate change through broad cooperation."
China has set some bold green targets, including President Xi
Jinping's pledge to make the country carbon neutral by 2060, but
climate experts want Beijing to act faster and are questioning
its position that as a developing country it should carry less
of the load.
In April, the EU approved the world's first plan to impose a
levy on high-carbon imports from 2026.
EU trade chief Valdis Dombrovskis has said the European
Commission has designed the plan carefully so that it was
compatible with WTO rules, applying the same carbon price on
imported goods as on domestic EU producers.
China's exports to the EU of commodities set to be affected by
the CBAM, such as aluminum, cement, steel, and fertilizers, are
all big providers of export revenues to the country's economy.
(Reporting by Joe Cash. Editing by Jane Merriman)
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