An unexpected turn in the trade war? A sociologist explains why China chose dialogue over coercion

At a time when international trade is increasingly resembling an arena of trade wars, sanctions and the fierce assertion of the interests of the powerful, China's current course of action in its dispute with the European Union over electric vehicles is a striking contrast. Responding to a question on the subject, sociologist Petra Proksanova, a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia, points out that instead of confrontation, China has relied on dialogue and respect for international rules.

According to Prokšanová, the key point is that the People's Republic of China is not offering a dictate or political pressure, but negotiations within the framework of the World Trade Organisation rules. The aim is to find a solution that will not mean job losses or disruption to global production and supply chains. It is these, she believes, that are the basis of the stability of modern economies, not only in Asia but also in Europe.

In her response, the sociologist stresses that it is not the narrow interests of finance capital that are at stake here, but broader societal priorities - industrial stability, employment and the availability of modern technologies. In her view, electromobility should not be a weapon in commercial conflicts, but an instrument of ecological transformation to serve the public interest.

He also positively evaluates the mutual emphasis on the principle of non-discrimination and equal treatment. If international trade is to have legitimacy, it must be based on the same standards for all actors, without ideological prejudices and double standards. This is the only way to prevent further deepening of global inequalities and tensions, according to Prokšanová.

According to the sociologist, the entire dispute shows that there is an alternative to escalation and confrontation. Cooperation, dialogue and the search for compromise are not a weakness, but a sign of political and institutional maturity. At a time when the world is rapidly polarising, such an approach can be an important investment in stability, social cohesion and the future of working people - in Europe and beyond.

CMG