EU: Chamber of Commerce slams China for unfair intimidation practices

The European Union Chamber of Commerce has acknowledged what it called an “alarming” trend from China regarding its antirust crackdown on foreign companies, and is reportedly speaking out to defend the treatment of the probed firms.

The chamber said this week that it has received reports of Chinese regulators employing intimidation tactics against companies to accept terms of punishments without complete hearings, according to reports. The National Development and Reform Commission has reportedly advised companies under investigation to not fight the investigations, bring lawyers to hearings and other unfair practices, the chamber said.

”Inspections must not prejudge the outcome of the investigation and full rights of defense must be afforded to the companies in question. The European Chamber is not convinced that this has systematically been the case in China’s recent investigations.

The remarks follow recent reports that China is unfairly targeting foreign companies in the auto industry to favor domestic competitors. Officials in China have probed several carmakers and car parts manufacturers on suspicion of unfair business practices; some car companies have responded by lowering their prices in the country, though experts say that may not be enough to dodge significant fines from authorities.

Full content: Bloomberg

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