The letter, according to the person briefed, makes clear Beijing is annoyed with the increased pace of trade investigations launched by the EU executive in recent months, and calls for a truce to avoid further escalation.
The most serious aviation measures would likely target Airbus, the European aircraft manufacturer that is the largest supplier to the Chinese market.
Beijing has threatened to target Airbus in the past, most notoriously saying it would not buy its planes if China’s airlines were to fall under EU carbon emission trading rules.
In response to the investigation into subsidies of Chinese electric vehicles, Beijing in January launched an anti-dumping probe against European producers of liquor — hitting France specifically.
French cognac producers fear that they will be the target of Beijing’s ire once the EU executive officially announces the electric vehicle tariffs.
Just last week, China announced new sanctions on U.S. aerospace giant Boeing, on the grounds that it was selling weapons to Taiwan, which Beijing considers as a breakaway province.
The original article contains 538 words, the summary contains 167 words. Saved 69%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!