Customers check BYD's EV at a store in Budapest, Hungary, on May 27, 2024. Photo: VCG

China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) on Friday criticized the European Commission (EC)'s rejection of price offers from Chinese electric vehicle (EV) producers, saying the move shows the EC's lack of sincerity in addressing the dispute through dialogue and stressing China's firm determination to safeguard firms' rights and interests. 

"The EC ignored the Chinese industry's sincerity and efforts, and without further communication, said it would reject the Chinese industry's proposal of flexible solution. The Chinese side is deeply disappointed with this," a spokesperson for the MOFCOM said.  

The remarks came after the EC, the executive body of the EU, said on Thursday that it had received offers from Chinese EV makers for minimum import prices into the EU market and had rejected all of them, according to Reuters.

The EC's rejection of relevant proposal without thorough evaluation not only undermines the confidence of the Chinese industry in continuing cooperation, but is also inconsistent with the expectations of some EU member states, and is inconsistent with the EC's public statement that it hopes to resolve this case through dialogue, the MOFCOM spokesperson said. 

The spokesperson also pointed out that China has made great efforts, including proposing flexible solutions, while the EC lacked sincerity in meeting China halfway. 

"If the consultations fail to reach consensus in the end, the responsibility lies entirely with the European side," the spokesperson said. "China has the greatest sincerity to properly resolve differences through dialogue and consultation, as well as the greatest determination to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises."

The MOFCOM has announced that Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao will visit Europe and hold talks with EC Executive Vice President and Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis on September 19 to discuss the EU's anti-subsidy case against China's EVs.

Experts also noted that the Chinese industry's proposal is another example of the Chinese side's commitment to properly resolving the dispute through dialogue and consultation. However, China will firmly safeguard its interests, if the EC refuses to meet China halfway. 

The EC should strengthen dialogue and communication with China, show the same sincerity as China in the process, and actively seek solutions that are consistent with WTO rules and acceptable to both parties, Wang Yiwei, a professor at the School of International Relations at Renmin University of China, told the Global Times.

"Both parties are in negotiations, and it would be best if a mutually acceptable outcome can be reached. However, if it touches on China's core interests, no concessions will be made," Wang Yiwei said.