China is urging the European Union (EU) to handle recent trade tensions with care, warning that missteps could damage longstanding cooperation and mutual trust. This plea comes in response to the European Commission's announcement last Wednesday of temporary tariffs on battery electric vehicles (BEVs) imported from China, set to take effect from July 4.
The proposed tariffs, reaching up to 38.1%, have sparked backlash from major European automakers such as Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Strandis. These companies argue that the tariffs could hinder the growth of sustainable transportation and strain the economic relationship between China and the EU.
In a statement, Lin Jian, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, emphasized the importance of dialogue and consultation in resolving economic disputes. \"We urge the EU to seriously listen to these objective and rational voices, immediately correct the wrong practices, stop politicizing economic and trade issues, properly deal with economic and trade frictions through dialogue and consultation, and avoid damaging mutual trust, dialogue and cooperation between China and the EU,\" Lin stated.
Lin also criticized the EU's investigation as a \"typical act of protectionism\" that disregards WTO rules and the objective facts, arguing that it favors none and counters historical trends.
In response to the EU's tariff plan, China has vowed to take all necessary measures to protect the legitimate rights and interests of its BEV enterprises, signaling a firm stance against the imposed trade measures.
This development highlights the ongoing challenges in global trade dynamics, especially in the rapidly growing electric vehicle market, as nations balance economic interests with political considerations.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
