The Ministry of Commerce Photo: VCG

 
China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) on Thursday said that it reserves the right to file a lawsuit with the WTO against the EU's "illegal and protectionist" tariffs against Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), while reiterating a vow to take all "necessary measures" to defend Chinese firms' rights and interests. 

Also significantly, commenting on reported plans of Chinese industries to apply for an anti-subsidy investigation into EU dairy products and an anti-dumping probe into certain EU pork, a spokesperson of the MOFCOM said that Chinese industries have the right to file applications for anti-subsidy and anti-dumping investigations and relevant authorities will review the applications and file cases in accordance to the law. 

The remarks come as Chinese government departments, industry groups and business organizations blasted the European Commission's decision to impose additional provisional tariff rates of up to 38.1 percent on EVs imported from China starting in July. As China repeatedly vowed to take all "necessary measures" to defend the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese firms, all eyes are on China's plan for countermeasures.

Asked about whether China will take countermeasures at a press briefing on Thursday, He Yadong, a spokesperson for the MOFCOM, again slammed the EU's move as potentially violating WTO rules and "pure" protectionism. 

"China reserves the right to file a lawsuit with the WTO and will take all necessary measures to firmly defend the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies," He said, calling on the European side to immediately correct its wrong practices.

At the same press briefing, the MOFCOM spokesperson was also asked about reports that relevant Chinese industries were planning to apply to authorities to launch an anti-subsidy investigation into EU dairy products as well as an anti-dumping investigation into certain pork from the EU. 

"According to relevant Chinese laws and regulations as well as WTO rules, Chinese domestic industries have the right to file investigation applications to safeguard the normal order of market competition and their own legitimate rights and interests," He said, adding that authorities will review such applications in accordance with the law. "If the conditions for filing a case are met, the investigation agency will initiate the filing process and make public disclosures and announcements in accordance with the law."

In separate exclusive reports, the Global Times have reported that relevant Chinese industries are collecting evidence, as they plan to request an anti-dumping investigation into certain EU pork and an anti-subsidy probe into relevant EU dairy products.

In an exclusive interview with the Global Times last month, a Chinese auto industry insider further suggested that China should consider raising the temporary tariff rate on imported cars with large-displacement engines - a move that would have a major impact on imported cars from Europe. 

Asked about the Global Times' report of an expert calling for a temporary tariff rate hike on imported cars with large engines to cut emissions, a spokesperson for the MOFCOM said last month that "we have noticed the relevant reports. China is firmly committed to the path of green and low-carbon development, and it has always encouraged and supported the green and low-carbon transformation and upgrading of various industries to achieve high-quality development."