Beijing: China has been actively pushing for negotiations with the European Union over tariffs imposed on Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs), a commerce ministry spokesperson said on Thursday, nearly four months after the punitive import levies took effect.
Escalating Trade Tensions
In October, the European Commission increased tariffs on Chinese EV imports to as much as 45.3% following an anti-subsidy probe into whether Chinese manufacturers benefited from preferential government support, including subsidized land, batteries, and raw materials at below-market prices.
“China has been doing its best to push for negotiations with the EU,” commerce ministry spokesperson He Yadong stated. “It is hoped that the EU will take notice of the call from industry and promote bilateral investment cooperation through dialogue and consultation.”
Also Read | Greece’s Water Crisis Highlights EU’s Struggle for Conservation
China’s Retaliatory Measures
In response, China launched its own investigations last year into imports of EU brandy, dairy, and pork products—a move widely seen as a countermeasure to the EV tariffs.
When asked about the progress of these cases, He Yadong confirmed that China’s anti-dumping probe into European pork and an anti-subsidy investigation into EU dairy products remain ongoing.
Also Read | Infineon’s €3.5 Billion Chip Plant Gets €920 Million EU Support
“We will conduct the investigation in an open and transparent manner in accordance with Chinese laws, regulations, and World Trade Organization (WTO) rules,” he said.
Additionally, China’s commerce ministry extended its anti-dumping investigation into EU brandy imports by three months, with the new deadline set for April 5.
