China Signals Pushback Against Clean Technology Tariffs Ahead of COP31
Vice Environment Minister Li Gao also called for progress on climate finance and said China will defend itself against what it considers attacks or smears.
China wants the upcoming United Nations climate summit to address trade barriers affecting clean energy technologies, arguing that protectionist measures could undermine international efforts to reduce emissions and expand access to low-carbon solutions.
Li Gao, vice minister of China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment, said on October 21 that the COP31 climate conference should discuss what Beijing describes as growing unilateralism and protectionism in international trade. The summit is scheduled to take place in Antalya, Turkey, next month, according to Reuters.
Li said the conference should address longstanding climate concerns, including insufficient emissions reductions by developed countries and inadequate financial support for developing economies. He also argued that trade restrictions on green technologies should be considered because they may complicate international cooperation on climate action.
China is a major global producer of solar panels, wind turbines, batteries and electric vehicles. These technologies are central to many countries' plans to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, electrify transport and expand renewable electricity generation. Their rapid growth has also created competition with established manufacturers in Europe, the United States and other markets.
The United States has imposed steep tariffs on some Chinese solar products and electric vehicles, while the European Union has introduced additional duties on Chinese battery-electric vehicles and taken other steps affecting parts of the clean technology supply chain. European authorities have also investigated aspects of competition in the wind industry.
Governments supporting such measures have raised concerns about industrial competitiveness, subsidies and the long-term viability of domestic manufacturing. Beijing, by contrast, argues that restrictions on Chinese products can limit competition and make clean technologies more expensive or less accessible.
The debate highlights a tension at the heart of the global energy transition. Countries want to deploy low-carbon technologies quickly, but many also want to retain or build domestic industries capable of producing those technologies. Trade measures may provide protection for selected producers, yet they can also complicate supply chains and affect prices for project developers and consumers.
For solar and wind developers, access to affordable equipment is one factor affecting project economics. Higher costs can alter investment calculations, particularly in markets where renewable energy projects compete directly with conventional power generation. At the same time, governments may view local manufacturing capacity as important for energy security, employment and industrial resilience.
Li also called for progress on climate finance for developing countries. He referred to a commitment made in 2024 to mobilize $300 billion annually for developing economies, saying the COP31 discussions should advance a roadmap for delivering on that pledge. Climate finance is a central issue for countries seeking funding for renewable energy, adaptation projects and infrastructure that can withstand extreme weather.
Developing countries often face higher financing costs and limited access to capital, even when clean energy projects have the potential to reduce emissions over time. International finance, guarantees and cooperation among development banks can help close some of these gaps, although the availability and terms of funding remain contested.
Li said China would respond firmly to what it considers attacks or smears against the country. However, he stopped short of explicitly endorsing Turkey's proposal for a global agreement on electrification, instead calling for the summit presidency to consult widely and seek broad support.
The remarks set out China's negotiating priorities ahead of COP31, but they do not establish that new trade measures or a specific international agreement will emerge from the summit. Negotiations will involve governments with different industrial interests, development needs and approaches to climate policy.
The central question is whether countries can maintain momentum on emissions reduction while managing competition in strategic clean technology industries. COP31 will provide another forum for that debate, with trade rules, technology access and climate finance likely to remain closely linked.