The Ministry of Commerce Photo: VCG

 
China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) on Friday expressed strong opposition to the European Union (EU)'s imposition of anti-subsidy tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), after the EU voted to impose definitive tariffs on Chinese EV imports.

MOFCOM said that China's position is consistent and clear: China firmly opposes the EU's unfair, non-compliant and unreasonable protectionist practices regarding the EU's anti-subsidy case against China's EVs, and it firmly opposes the EU's imposition of anti-subsidy tariffs on Chinese EVs.

These remarks came after the EU held a vote on whether to impose a five-year countervailing duty on Chinese EVs on Friday local time. A statement released by the European Commission (EC) showed that the commission's proposal to impose definitive countervailing duties on imports of battery electric vehicles from China has obtained the necessary support from EU Member States for the adoption of tariffs. 

The ministry said that China has always maintained the utmost sincerity in properly handling differences through dialogue and consultation. 

China and the EU have held more than 10 technical consultations at the bureau level and two vice-ministerial consultations regarding the anti-subsidy case for EVs since the end of June. 

On September 19, Minister Wang Wentao held a comprehensive, in-depth and constructive meeting with and European Commission Executive Vice President and Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis. 

Both sides clearly expressed their political will to resolve differences through consultations and agreed to initiate price commitment consultations to avoid escalation of trade frictions. 

In the short 14 days that followed, the China-EU technical teams conducted six rounds of technical consultations. China repeatedly listened to the demands and opinions of both Chinese and European industries and demonstrated an open and cooperative attitude throughout the consultation process, showing maximum flexibility, the ministry said. 

By adhering to a market-driven approach and fostering full competition and continuous independent innovation, Chinese EVs have enhanced the quality supply of global green public goods, making significant contributions to the global response to climate change. 

The EU's protectionist practices seriously violate WTO rules, disrupt normal international trade order, hinder China-EU trade and investment cooperation, delay the EU's green transition, and will also negatively impact global efforts to combat climate change, the ministry said.

MOFCOM also said that China firmly opposes the EU's final ruling draft but has also noted the EU's expressed political will to continue resolving issues through negotiation. 

MOFCOM said that the China-EU technical teams will continue negotiations on October 7. China hopes the EU will recognize that imposing tariffs will not solve any problems; rather, it will only undermine and hinder the confidence and determination of Chinese enterprises in investing and cooperating with the EU. 

The Chinese side urges the EU to genuinely demonstrate practical actions to implement its political will and return to the correct path of resolving trade frictions through consultation. It will also take all necessary measures to firmly safeguard the interests of Chinese enterprises.

The China Chamber of Commerce to the EU also expressed deep disappointment with this voting outcome on Friday and is strongly dissatisfied with the EU's adoption of protectionist trade measures.

The Chamber strongly encourages the EU to approach the final measures cautiously, delay the implementation of these tariffs, and prioritize resolving disputes and trade tensions through consultations and dialogue, according to an announcement sent to the Global Times.

Global Times