China and EU Engage in Productive Talks Over Electric Vehicle Tariff Conflicts

On Thursday, China and the EU participated in a "comprehensive, in-depth and constructive" discussion concerning the EU's ongoing anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), as stated by China's Ministry of Commerce.

China and EU Engage in Productive Talks Over Electric Vehicle Tariff Conflicts
On Thursday, China and the European Union held a detailed and productive discussion concerning the EU’s anti-subsidy probe into Chinese electric vehicles, as reported by China’s Ministry of Commerce. The dialogue unfolded between Wang Wentao, the Chinese Minister of Commerce, and Valdis Dombrovskis, the European Commission Executive Vice President as well as Trade Commissioner.

According to an official release, both parties expressed their commitment to settling their disputes through dialogue. They also agreed to actively pursue negotiations regarding price commitments and to make every effort to arrive at a resolution agreeable to both sides through amicable discussions.

The ministry pointed out that the European Commission had launched this investigation despite not having received a formal complaint from EU industries, labeling the action as “non-compliant, unreasonable and unfair.”

While rejecting these allegations, China has demonstrated full sincerity and effort in resolving the matter through ongoing discussions, the ministry emphasized. It highlighted that the Chinese EV sector had proposed a price commitment during the investigation and had later refined this proposal considering the EU’s feedback, showing significant flexibility.

China also called on the EU to respect a significant consensus reached between the leadership of China, France, and the EU, which involved managing economic and trade issues through dialogue. The ministry urged the EU to actively work towards a balanced and fair outcome.

Furthermore, the statement warned that China would decisively defend the interests of its businesses should the EU persist with implementing unwarranted tariffs. Despite these challenges, China maintained that it has always been careful and restrained in its application of trade remedies, consistently promoting fair and free trade.

The release confirmed that any trade remedy actions taken by China against the EU have been within the bounds of Chinese law and World Trade Organization rules and have been conducted transparently and fairly.

“China has the responsibility to safeguard the justified demands and legitimate rights of its domestic industries,” the ministry stated.

The discussion also covered various other trade and economic issues, the statement concluded.

Ian Smith for TROIB News