EV Photo:VCG

 
China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) disclosed that the EU is prying into the "inside story" of China's electric vehicles (EVs) technology in the name of anti-subsidy investigation, citing information provided by Chinese companies, saying such information collected is "outside the necessary scope."

The MOFCOM slammed the EU side for undermining fair competition and the global green transformation, and it vowed to take all necessary measures to safeguard the legitimate rights of Chinese companies.

The remarks were made in response to media reports that Chinese and European new-energy vehicle companies held a closed-door meeting on Tuesday, and those companies from China and EU at the meeting were against European Commission (EC)'s decision to impose additional tariffs on Chinese EVs. 

Some Chinese companies said that they were required by the EC to provide "additional information" during the investigation.

In this regard, the EC has requested a large amount of information on the production and operations, development plans, technical processes and product formulas used by Chinese EV and battery companies during its anti-subsidy investigation, He Yadong, spokesperson for MOFCOM said on Thursday, citing information from the investigated Chinese companies.

He listed the example of Chinese companies being required to provide battery components and formulas in detail, as well as EV production costs, purchase information concerning all electric vehicle parts and used raw materials, sales channels and pricing methods, as well as customer information in Europe and information related with the supply chain layout. 

"The magnitude, scope and quantity of information required by the EU side is unprecedented, far exceeding what is needed for countervailing investigations," He said. 

He said during the investigation process, the EC said many times that failure to cooperate would result in adverse rulings and the EC forced Chinese companies to provide the above information.

However, after Chinese companies tried their best to cooperate with the investigation and provide information, the EC still accused Chinese companies of not fully cooperating and imposing high punitive duties on them. Chinese companies were shocked and disappointed by the EC actions, the MOFCOM spokesperson noted.

He said EU side lacks factual and legal basis, ignore WTO rules, which undermine fair competition and global green transformation.

Global Times