China Joins Fight Against EU Plans

Recently, the United States has been very outspoken about being unhappy with European Union’s plans to place a carbon emissions charge on all airlines that fly into their airspace. However, America is not the only place in the world that is upset with this new law. In fact, many other countries have been joining the fight to try and change the European Union’s mind on the matter.

China is the most recent to join Washington in opposing the planned carbon emissions charge. China says that this new plan could actually spark a trade war. The European Union could find itself on the outside looking in if it is not careful about the bridges it burns.

The comments came in from China’s foreign ministry and official media. It came just after the European Union’s court completely threw out a bid by the United States and Canada to block this scheme. This complete dismissal has upset officials in Washington.

Liu Weimin, who is a Chinese foreign ministry spokesman said that they are opposed to the unilateral legislation imposed by the European Union. China hopes that the European side will be prudent and practical. They need to deal with this issue appropriately through consultation with relevant parties, and this does include China.

Media sources from China now warn that the European Union scheme infringes on national sovereignty, violates international aviation treaties, and will lead to a trade war. This is something that the European Union should not set itself up for.

Airlines all over the world have already denounced the European Union plan to charge them for carbon emissions. They went on to warn that this would cost the industry about 17.5 billion euros over eight years.

China has said that it fears its aviation sector will have to pay an additional 800 million yuan a year on flights originating or landing in Europe. The costs could be almost four times higher by the time 2020 rolls around. This is something that China cannot let happen.

Under this brand new European Union scheme, airlines are going to have to pay 15 percent of the polluting rights in 2012. The figure will then rise to 18 percent between the years of 2012 and 2020.

This tax will surely not only affect major airlines in China, but major airlines from around the world. The China Air Transport Association said that this tax is going to hit companies like China Eastern, China Southern, and even Air China.

Of course, it is not known what good will come of China joining the fight now. In fact, the European Union has said that it has already made up its mind, and it will not be changing its ruling. The plan has already been approved by the High Courts, and it is here to stay.