China urges France to play a significant part in resolving electric vehicle trade issues
China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao has urged France, a significant member of the European Union, to take a proactive stance in encouraging the European Commission to demonstrate sincerity and work collaboratively with China to resolve the ongoing anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese electric vehicles.
TroibNews 
China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao has urged France, a key member of the European Union, to take an active role in encouraging the European Commission to engage sincerely and meet China halfway regarding the EU's anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese electric vehicles.
Wang made these comments during a meeting with Sophie Primas, the French Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and French Nationals Abroad, in Shanghai on Sunday, as reported by the Ministry of Commerce.
This meeting took place in advance of the seventh China International Import Expo, which is set to begin this week.
Wang noted that the EU's probe into subsidies for China-made electric vehicles has significantly obstructed collaboration between the EU and Chinese auto industries, which is a pressing issue for both sides. He mentioned that technical teams from China and the EU are currently involved in a second round of consultations.
Wang reaffirmed that China is dedicated to resolving trade friction with the EU through dialogue and consultation, grounded in respect for facts and adherence to WTO regulations.
He pointed out that the EU's anti-subsidy investigation was initiated without formal industry applications, contrasting it with China's trade remedy investigations on specific EU products like brandy, pork, and dairy, which were requested by domestic industries and conducted in full compliance with WTO rules and Chinese laws.
Wang emphasized that China would persist in managing these investigations according to its legal framework, ensuring the protection of enterprises from EU member states—including France—and making decisions based on evidence and facts.
Furthermore, he expressed China's willingness to collaborate with the European Commission in pursuit of a suitable resolution in this context.
Highlighting the significance of this year, which marks the 60th anniversary of China-France diplomatic relations, Wang noted France is once again the guest country of honor at the CIIE. He stated that over 100 French companies are participating in the expo this year, the largest contingent from any EU country, underscoring the robust interest of French companies in the Chinese market.
Primas emphasized France's strong commitment to enhancing economic and trade relations with China, expressing satisfaction with the country's guest role at the expo once more.
Acknowledging that agricultural and food products are crucial to France's trade with China, she conveyed significant concerns regarding China's investigations into EU products, including brandy.
Primas reiterated that France does not wish to see further escalation of current EU-China trade tensions and hopes for resolution of trade disputes through constructive consultation.
Debra A Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
Wang made these comments during a meeting with Sophie Primas, the French Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and French Nationals Abroad, in Shanghai on Sunday, as reported by the Ministry of Commerce.
This meeting took place in advance of the seventh China International Import Expo, which is set to begin this week.
Wang noted that the EU's probe into subsidies for China-made electric vehicles has significantly obstructed collaboration between the EU and Chinese auto industries, which is a pressing issue for both sides. He mentioned that technical teams from China and the EU are currently involved in a second round of consultations.
Wang reaffirmed that China is dedicated to resolving trade friction with the EU through dialogue and consultation, grounded in respect for facts and adherence to WTO regulations.
He pointed out that the EU's anti-subsidy investigation was initiated without formal industry applications, contrasting it with China's trade remedy investigations on specific EU products like brandy, pork, and dairy, which were requested by domestic industries and conducted in full compliance with WTO rules and Chinese laws.
Wang emphasized that China would persist in managing these investigations according to its legal framework, ensuring the protection of enterprises from EU member states—including France—and making decisions based on evidence and facts.
Furthermore, he expressed China's willingness to collaborate with the European Commission in pursuit of a suitable resolution in this context.
Highlighting the significance of this year, which marks the 60th anniversary of China-France diplomatic relations, Wang noted France is once again the guest country of honor at the CIIE. He stated that over 100 French companies are participating in the expo this year, the largest contingent from any EU country, underscoring the robust interest of French companies in the Chinese market.
Primas emphasized France's strong commitment to enhancing economic and trade relations with China, expressing satisfaction with the country's guest role at the expo once more.
Acknowledging that agricultural and food products are crucial to France's trade with China, she conveyed significant concerns regarding China's investigations into EU products, including brandy.
Primas reiterated that France does not wish to see further escalation of current EU-China trade tensions and hopes for resolution of trade disputes through constructive consultation.
Debra A Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
