China fires back at EU carbon border tax
Today, Jan 1, 2026, the EU’s new Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) goes live 🌱. Designed to charge importers based on the carbon footprint of their products, CBAM aims to prevent 'carbon leakage' – companies shifting dirty production elsewhere to dodge regulations.
But Beijing’s not impressed. A spokesperson from China’s Ministry of Commerce says the EU set unrealistically high default carbon values for Chinese goods, ignoring China’s green progress and plans. They argue this amounts to unfair, discriminatory treatment that clashes with World Trade Organization rules and the 'common but differentiated responsibilities' principle under the UN climate framework.
China’s key points 👇
- Higher baselines: EU’s default numbers overstate China’s emissions.
- Protectionism alert: Masking trade curbs as climate action raises costs for developing countries.
- Rule clash: Tension building between climate policies and trade governance.
China urges the EU to keep markets open, play fair on trade and green investments, and work together on climate challenges 🤝. But if the EU sticks to what Beijing calls 'unfair restrictions,' China vows to take all necessary measures to defend its industries and keep global supply chains stable.
Reference(s):
China vows to take necessary measures against EU's unfair trade curbs
cgtn.com
