According to the ambassador of the Asian country in Chile, Niu Qingbao, there are no government subsidies for steel, but rather Chinese companies "are simply much more effective and efficient in production."
“We believe that (the decision on surcharges) is unfair, because Chinese companies are really very, very efficient, they are competitive. There are no government subsidies and there is no dumping . “Chinese companies do not dump , they are simply much more effective and efficient in production.”
These were part of the statements by the ambassador of the People's Republic of China in Chile, Niu Qingbao, exclusively with Radio Bío Bío , in the context of the Participatory Public Account of the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
"THERE IS NO DUMPING": THE CUTTING RESPONSE OF THE CHINESE AMBASSADOR FOR SURPRISES
It is worth remembering that on April 20, the Anti-Distortion Commission of the Chilean Senate established tariff surcharges against imports of Chinese steel, specifically on steel bars for grinding balls and the grinding balls themselves.
This after weeks of pressure from the political and private world, given that the Huachipato Steel Company, belonging to the CAP Group, announced that it would indefinitely suspend its operations given the “unfair competition” against this type of products.
Days before, Niu Qingbao told Diario Financiero that his country “opposes the protectionist practice of abuse of these measures and advocates providing reasonable trade relief to national industries under strict compliance with the rules of the WTO (World Trade Organization). )”.
EFFECTIVE COMPANIES, NOT SUBSIDIZED
Now, the representative of the Asian power in our country reaffirms that both China and Chile are “mutually very important” partners in matters of trade, investment and also in steel products.
“I think we are mutually dependent, so we have common rules to comply with, like those of the WTO, like the bilateral free trade agreement. Let's hope that this issue, the antidumping issue, can be resolved to the satisfaction of both parties and all affected companies (…) That will give a very positive signal to foreign companies, investors and governments that Chile is a good place to do business. ” Qingbao maintained.
But when asked about China's feelings regarding the establishment of antidumping duties of 24.9% and 33.5%, the politician said that they are not necessarily happy "because we believe it is unfair," emphasizing that companies at the same time other side of the Pacific are “really very, very efficient,” and that there is no dumping .
Despite everything, Qingbao affirms that the relationship between both countries continues on good terms, and that it is “perfect, very good.”
BYD AND LITHIUM PROJECT IN CHILE
Another news that set the tone was the announcement by the Chinese electric car manufacturer BYD, to postpone the project to create a lithium cathode plant in Antofagasta, citing problems with suppliers but mainly with permits.
Regarding this, the ambassador expressed that both countries are also important partners in the so-called “white gold” industry, and that his government encourages a partnership not only in the purchase and sale of the material, but also in research and development.
“But, companies do business on their own. The (Chinese) Government does not interfere in the management and business of the companies in question. "I don't know exactly what happened between BYD and in the negotiations with the Chilean government," said the representative.
Finally, he called on both the Chilean executive and the electromobility company to negotiate, as long as the megaproject can materialize. “This will bring enormous benefits, not only to the company, but also to the country. We hope to see a closer partnership between BYD, other Chinese companies and Chile,” concluded Niu Qingbao.
