The Chinese mainland's Ministry of Commerce has voiced strong opposition to the European Commission's plan to impose import duties of up to 36.3 percent on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs). In a statement released on Tuesday, a spokesperson emphasized that the mainland will take all necessary measures to defend the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises.
Last month, the European Commission introduced provisional additional tariffs of up to 37.6 percent on Chinese EV manufacturers following an anti-subsidy investigation launched in October 2023. On Tuesday, the Commission published a draft plan to make these tariffs permanent, pending approval from EU member states.
The spokesperson from the Ministry of Commerce criticized the Commission's anti-subsidy probe, stating that it did not comply with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and represented an act of unfair competition masked as fair competition. During the investigation, the Chinese government and EV industry provided extensive legal documents and evidence through various channels, including questionnaires, written comments, and statements at hearings, to robustly defend against what they described as unreasonable and non-compliant practices by the European side.
The Chinese mainland's Ministry of Commerce warned that the European Commission's actions could disrupt the stability of the global automotive supply chain and harm the interests of European consumers. Additionally, it could undermine the EU's green transformation efforts and hinder global cooperation in addressing climate change.
Highlighting the ongoing dialogue, the spokesperson noted that over 10 rounds of technical consultations have taken place since the end of June. They called on the EU to implement practical measures to prevent the escalation of trade disputes, emphasizing the need for constructive engagement to resolve differences.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
