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☆ European companies in China are under pressure from slower growth, overcapacity
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-10 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Nurphoto | Nurphoto | Getty ImagesBEIJING — European companies in China are finding it harder to make money in the country as growth slows and overcapacity pressures increase, according to a survey released Friday by the EU Chamber of Commerce in China. Only 30% of EU Chamber survey respondents said their profit margins were higher in China than their company's worldwide average — an eight-year low. Jens Eskelund EU Chamber of Commerce in China, presidentChina's economy is now far bigger than it was in 2015 and 2016. More than one-third of EU Chamber survey respondents said they observed overcapacity in their industry in the last year, and another 10% expect to see it in the near future. "This is not just European companies whining," Eskelund said.

Persons: Carlo D'Andrea, D'Andrea, Jens Eskelund, Eskelund, overcapacity Organizations: Nurphoto, Getty, EU Chamber of Commerce, EU, of Commerce, U.S, Bureau, Statistics, Cosmetics Locations: Minhou County, Fuzhou, China, BEIJING, Shanghai, Beijing

☆ Xi wants to boost trade and investment between Europe and China. It won't be easy.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-10 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

According to the business chamber's survey, just 13% view China as a top investment destination — a record low. EU firms' China operations are 'decoupling' from their headquartersIt's not just the gloomy economy and slowing demand that are weighing on investor confidence. EU firms have also started to "decouple" their operations in China as the number of foreign nationals employed locally falls. It also makes it increasingly difficult for the China operations of the EU firms to get approval from their headquarters. The European business chamber called for "full access to legitimate and trustworthy sources of economic data" in its report.

Persons: —, Xi Jinping, It's, Jens Eskelund Organizations: Service, European Union Chamber of Commerce, Business Locations: Europe, France, Serbia, Hungary, China

☆ Europe opens competition probes covering Chinese solar panel makers over subsidies
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Anna Cooban | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

London CNN —The European Union has launched investigations into two groups of companies that include Chinese solar panel makers in the latest salvo against what it suspects is unfair competition from China’s vast manufacturing sector. “There are sufficient indications that both (consortia) have been granted foreign subsidies that distort the internal (EU) market,” the European Commission said in a statement. The European Commission has said it may impose tariffs on Chinese biodiesel imports if dumping is confirmed. Like biodiesel, solar panels are an important part of Europe’s efforts to transition to an economy powered by clean technologies. Last month, Premier Li Qiang told the country’s parliament that China would focus on exporting more of its “new trio” of products, namely electric vehicles, solar panels and lithium batteries.

Persons: Thierry Breton, Jens Eskelund, Li Qiang Organizations: London CNN, European Union, European Commission, Green Energy Technology Co, Shanghai Electric Group Co, European, European Union Chamber of Commerce, EU Locations: Romania, EU, China, Europe

☆ A glut of cheap Chinese goods is flooding the world and stoking trade tensions
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-28 | by ( Hanna Ziady | Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

The oversupply of Chinese goods in key industries is stoking tensions between the world’s biggest manufacturer and its major trading partners, including the United States and the European Union. From clothes to carsChina’s exports of low-priced goods got a boost after it joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001. “What China exports is advanced production capacity that meets the needs of foreign customers,” Xinhua News Agency wrote. US President Joe Biden recently pledged to investigate whether imports of Chinese vehicles pose a national security threat. “But perhaps more importantly, persistent oversupply and low prices of Chinese goods will add to geopolitical tensions and keep the threat of tariffs and counter-tariffs alive,” she wrote in a recent note.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN —, ” Jens Eskelund, Xi Jinping, Huang Jingwen, ” Eskelund, Brad W, ” Markus W, Voigt, China’s BYD, Warren Buffett, Setser, Li Qiang, “, ”, Joe Biden, Jennifer McKeown, Shawn Deng Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, European Union, European Union Chamber of Commerce, Zero, of, People, China’s National Bureau of Statistics, Council, Foreign Relations, World Trade Organization, Aream Group, Tesla, Getty, China Development Forum, Xinhua, Agency, ., EV, European Commission, WTO, Capital Economics Locations: Hong Kong, United States, China, Europe, Beijing, Xinhua, China's Shandong, . Washington, Brussels

☆ EU-China trade relations are in a 'slow-motion train accident,' business group says
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-19 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

"What we see right now is the unfolding of a slow-motion train accident," he told reporters at a briefing last week. "That's when trade becomes a security question and I think that is perhaps not fully appreciated in China just yet." There needs to be an honest conversation between Europe and China about what this is going to mean. The EU was China's largest regional trading partner until Southeast Asia recently surpassed it. The U.S. is China's largest trading partner on a single-country basis.

Persons: Jens Eskelund, Eskelund, I've, Markus Herrmann Chen Organizations: Future Publishing, Getty, European Union Chamber of Commerce, EU, of Commerce, Investment, China Macro Locations: Hefei, Anhui province, BEIJING, Europe, Beijing, China, Southeast Asia, U.S

☆ China calls on foreign businesses to share their problems as investment slumps
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

While the Commerce Ministry meeting did not reveal much new progress on the 24 measures to support foreign business that were announced last summer, attendees said they were able to share specific challenges about doing business in China. The ministry said representatives from more than 60 foreign businesses and 9 associations attended Wednesday's roundtable. Foreign direct investment into China has fallen to its lowest level in three years, according to official data, amid geopolitical tensions and slowing growth in the country. Hart said that it's hard for companies not yet in China to complete due diligence and approve new investments. Biden, who faces re-election this fall, has emphasized the need to compete with China while finding areas of cooperation.

Persons: Aly Song, MofCom, Jens Eskelund, Eskelund, Michael Hart, Hart, Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Biden Organizations: Chinese Communist Party, Reuters, Reuters BEIJING — China's Ministry of Commerce, Commerce Ministry, EU Chamber of Commerce, Cyberspace Administration of, China's Ministry of Commerce, American Chamber of Commerce, U.S, U.S . Transportation Department Locations: China, U.S, Yiwu, Zhejiang province, Reuters BEIJING, Beijing, Cyberspace Administration of China, San Francisco

Lending data from China's central bank offers a glimpse of government priorities: as of the end of September, outstanding loans to the troubled property sector fell 0.2% year-on-year but lending to the manufacturing sector jumped 38.2%. This time, the government's focus is narrower, targeting high-tech and "advanced manufacturing", a goal laid out in 2021 in the 14th five-year plan. It grew 11.3% in the first nine months of 2023 year-on-year, compared with 6.3% for overall manufacturing investment, according to data from China's National Bureau of Statistics. For example, Guangdong province has increased lending to both high-tech and advanced manufacturing by about 45%, state media reported. During the first half of 2023, outstanding loans to the high-tech manufacturing sector in the eastern province of Shandong jumped 67%.

Persons: Jens Eskelund, Eskelund, Xi Jinping, Joe Biden, Frederic Neumann, Neumann, Tao Wang, Wang, Fu, Lu Zhengwei, Siyi Liu, Kripa Jayaram, Robert Birsel Organizations: Rights, European Chamber of Commerce, Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, U.S, Reuters Graphics, overcapacity, HSBC, UBS, China's National Bureau of Statistics, Rystad Energy, EV, China Passenger Car Association, Bank, Industrial Bank, Thomson Locations: Suqian, Jiangsu province, China, CHINA, Rights BEIJING, Europe, Beijing, San Francisco, Xi, Asia, Guangdong province, Shandong, Dongguan, Shanghai

☆ EU Chamber of Commerce in China discusses 'sensible de-risking'
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailChina, Europe need to look at what constitutes sensible de-risking: EU Chamber of Commerce in ChinaJens Eskelund, president of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, discusses Europe's potential punitive tariffs against Chinese electric vehicle companies and how to address the challenges of consensus-building.

Persons: China Jens Eskelund Organizations: of Commerce, European Union Chamber of Commerce Locations: China, Europe

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo talks to Chinese Premier Li Qiang during a meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China Tuesday, August 29, 2023. "China is actively advancing its high-level opening-up and making efforts to provide a world-class, market-oriented business environment governed by a sound legal framework," he said. Asked what her message was to U.S. business in China, Raimondo said: "The message is to continue to do what you're doing. She is pressing China to take actions to improve business conditions. That sentiment was echoed by Jens Eskelund, president of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, who said "'uninvestible' is not a term we would use to describe China", instead describing it as "under-invested."

Persons: Gina Raimondo, Li Qiang, Andy Wong, Biden, Raimondo, Liu Pengyu, Michael Hart, Hart, Jens Eskelund, Chen Jining, Chen, Walt Disney, David Shepardson, Andrea Shalal, Nicoco Chan, Jason Xue, Joe Cash, Martin Quin Polland, Lun Tian, Laurie Chen, Sandra Maler, Robert Birsel Organizations: Commerce, of, People, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, . Commerce, U.S . Commerce Department, Global, American Chamber of Commerce, European Union Chamber of Commerce, chipmaker Micron Technology, Micron, Shanghai, Shanghai Disneyland, Walt, Shendi Group, Boeing, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, Rights SHANGHAI, WASHINGTON, United States, Washington, Shanghai, U.S, New York

Jens Eskelund, President of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, attends an interview with Reuters in Beijing, China August 21, 2023. REUTERS/Florence Lo/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Aug 30 (Reuters) - The European Union Chamber of Commerce in China said on Wednesday that it would not use the term "uninvestable" to describe China, in response to a comment from the United States. U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said late Tuesday American firms had increasingly used the term to describe China, prompting Beijing to defend its business practices and approach to foreign investment. "‘Uninvestable’ is not a term we would use to describe China," Jens Eskelund, president of the EU chamber, said in an emailed response to questions from Reuters on Raimondo's remarks. Reporting by Laurie Chen; Writing by John Geddie; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman, Robert BirselOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Jens Eskelund, Florence, Gina Raimondo, Raimondo, Eskelund, Laurie Chen, John Geddie, Muralikumar Anantharaman, Robert Birsel Organizations: European Union Chamber of Commerce, Reuters, REUTERS, Rights, U.S . Commerce, EU, Thomson Locations: China, Beijing, Rights BEIJING, United States, Europe

Many economists have called on China to boost its social safety net to rebalance the economy. Yao was unswayed and would prefer consumer vouchers, which some local governments in China have issued, but in amounts too small to matter at a macro level. Local governments, while cash poor, are asset rich. Michael Pettis, senior fellow at Carnegie China, estimates that if Beijing forces local governments to transfer 1-1.5% of GDP to households, China could maintain current growth. "One of the really big conflicts is likely to be between Beijing and the local governments over how to allocate the various adjustment costs.

Persons: Erin Yao, Juan Orts, Orts, Tokyo's, Yao, joblessness, Jens Eskelund, Wang Jiliu, Wang, Michael Pettis, Laurie Chen, Kripa Jayaram, Marius Zaharia, Sam Holmes Organizations: Fathom Consulting, Communist Party, Reuters Graphics, European Chamber of Commerce, Carnegie China, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, HONG KONG, China, Beijing, United States, Hainan

[1/2] Pedestrians walk on an overpass near skyscrapers at the Central Business District (CBD) in Beijing, China August 21, 2023. China's prolonged economic slowdown this year comes amid weakening demand both at home and globally, a property crisis and rising unemployment. "China will continue to expand market access, comprehensively optimise the business environment ... and protect the rights and interests of entrepreneurs in accordance with the law." Eskelund, who is also Chief Representative for Danish shipping giant Maersk in Greater China and Northeast Asia, said: "I think China is evolving. This has come as European leaders have also emphasised derisking their economic ties with China.

Persons: Florence Lo, Jens Eskelund, crackdowns, Eskelund, Valdis, Laurie Chen, Shri Navaratnam Organizations: Central Business, REUTERS, European Chamber of Commerce, Reuters, China ., China . European Union, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, BEIJING, Greater China, Northeast Asia, Danish, China . European

☆ China has a new foreign relations law. Here's what it means for business
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Vcg | Visual China Group | Getty ImagesBEIJING — For foreign businesses in China, geopolitics hold more sway than new Chinese laws, according to analysts. Two new laws, one on espionage and the other on foreign relations, took effect July 1. In strictly legal terms, however, the legislative changes themselves don't increase the risk for foreign businesses in China, said Jeremy Daum, senior fellow at Yale Law School's Paul Tsai China Center. The website's translation of the Foreign Relations Law notes that foreign organizations in China "must not endanger China's national security, harm the societal public interest, or undermine societal public order." A House committee delegation discussed China business in their meeting with executives of high-profile U.S. tech and media companies in California in April.

Persons: Jeremy Daum, Yale Law School's Paul Tsai, Antony Blinken's, Michael House, Perkins, Daum, Mintz, It's, Alex Liang Anjie, Michael Hart, he's, Hart, Janet Yellen, Jens Eskelund, Alex Liang Organizations: Visual China, Getty, Yale Law, Yale Law School's Paul Tsai China Center, U.S, China, Foreign Relations, Mintz Group, Bain, Capvision Partners, Reuters, American Chamber of Commerce, Treasury, Companies, EU Chamber of Commerce Locations: BEIJING, China, Beijing, Washington, U.S, Shanghai, California, Broad

☆ EU Chamber of Commerce in China discusses its members' 'primary concern'
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailEU Chamber of Commerce in China discusses its members' 'primary concern'Jens Eskelund, president of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, cites factors related to both China's domestic economy and weak demand in overseas markets.

Persons: Jens Eskelund Organizations: EU, of Commerce, European Union Chamber of Commerce Locations: China

☆ Business in China is getting harder for European companies despite the end of Covid controls
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

BEIJING – European businesses in China are finding it harder to operate in the country, even after it has re-opened from Covid, the EU Chamber of Commerce in China found in its latest member survey, released Wednesday. Mainland China ended its stringent Covid controls in December, and authorities pledged to support more business travel in and out of the country. "Zero-Covid has ended, but other headwinds will need to be addressed if China is to regain its attractiveness," the Chamber's report said. While the survey noted part of those were due to Covid controls, the outlook remains grim. There's "no expectation that the regulatory environment is really going to improve over the next five years," Jens Eskelund, president of the EU Chamber of Commerce in China, told reporters in a briefing.

Persons: Ole Kaällenius, Zhimin Qian, Li Qiang, Olaf Scholz, Covid, Jens Eskelund Organizations: State Power Investment Corporation, EU Chamber of Commerce Locations: People's Republic of China, BEIJING, China, Covid, Mainland China

☆ No chance EU-China investment deal will be revived at this point: EU Chamber of Commerce in China
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-06 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailNo chance EU-China investment deal will be revived at this point: EU Chamber of Commerce in ChinaJens Eskelund, vice president of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, says it's unlikely that the Comprehensive Agreement on Investment will see "significant traction" in the short term.

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