China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) on Monday criticized the European Union’s proposed Industrial Acceleration Act (IAA), saying it creates major barriers for foreign investment and unfairly targets Chinese companies in key strategic sectors.
A spokesperson for Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China said the legislation places restrictive conditions on foreign investment in batteries, electric vehicles, photovoltaics, and critical raw materials, while introducing “EU-origin” clauses in public procurement and support policies, calling it a form of institutional discrimination.
The ministry has formally submitted comments to the European Commission, expressing China’s serious concerns and urging the EU to remove discriminatory measures such as local content requirements, forced technology transfer, intellectual property conditions, and procurement restrictions, while strictly following WTO rules.
The spokesperson stressed that if the EU ignores China’s concerns and pushes the legislation forward, harming the interests of Chinese firms, China will take countermeasures to firmly safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.
Chinese experts said the EU is moving beyond traditional anti-dumping and anti-subsidy actions toward a broader economic security framework, increasingly shaping what they describe as a “non-level playing field” for Chinese businesses operating in Europe.
