The Ministry of Commerce Photo: VCG

China has formally invited European technical teams to visit China for the next round of face-to-face discussions and hopes the EU will show sincerity and meet China halfway, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) stated on Saturday in response to media inquiries about China-EU consultations over EU tariffs on China-made electric vehicles (EVs) and EU’s reported separate negotiations with individual companies. 

Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao and European Commission (EC) Executive Vice President and Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis engaged in detailed talks in Brussels on September 19 on the EU's anti-subsidy probe into China-made EVs and they agreed on further talks on the price commitment agreement, aiming for a mutually acceptable solution through dialogue.

China and the EU have held eight rounds of intensive consultations starting from September 20, and significant progress has been made in some areas regarding the EV tariff issue. 

China has listened to concerns and suggestions from both Chinese and European industrial sectors, proposing multiple pragmatic and constructive solutions to address the EU concerns, demonstrating its sincerity and flexibility, according to a written MOFCOM statement citing its spokesperson. 

However, the EU side did not adequately address core concerns of the industries from China and Europe, leading to significant differences and the failure to reach a mutually acceptable solution, the spokesperson said.

China remains steadfast in its resolve to find a solution through dialogue and has formally invited European technical teams to visit China. All preparations for the next round of face-to-face discussions are completed, said the ministry. 

China hopes that the EU will meet China halfway and quickly plan a visit, approaching the discussions with a constructive attitude to advance the consultations, in order to reach a solution at an early date. 

Responding to reports that the EC is holding separate price negotiations with some Chinese companies, the MOFCOM said that different types of companies in China, including Europe-funded ones, have authorized the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products to propose a price commitment proposal on behalf of the industry. It is the foundation for ongoing China-EU consultations.

The Chinese ministry warned that if the EU consults with China while simultaneously conducting negotiations separately with some companies, it may undermine the foundation and mutual trust, disrupt the talks and it will turn out to be detrimental to the progress. 

China hopes that the EU will show full sincerity, seriously address the core concerns of the industry, and strive to reach a solution acceptable to all parties at an early date based on the current consultations, the ministry said.

Global Times