Beijing, August 21, 2024, The Europe Today: China has strongly opposed the European Commission’s decision to impose import duties of up to 36.3 percent on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), vowing to take all necessary measures to protect the legitimate rights and interests of its enterprises. The Ministry of Commerce spokesperson made this statement on Tuesday.
Last month, the European Commission imposed provisional tariffs of up to 37.6 percent on Chinese EV manufacturers following an anti-subsidy investigation initiated in October 2023. On Tuesday, the Commission published a draft plan to make these tariffs permanent, with slightly revised rates, pending approval from EU member states.
China’s Ministry of Commerce criticized the investigation, asserting that the process violated World Trade Organization rules and constituted “unfair competition” under the pretense of “fair competition.” The spokesperson highlighted that the Chinese government and EV industry provided substantial legal documents and evidence throughout the investigation, defending against what they consider unreasonable and non-compliant practices by the European side.
The spokesperson warned that the European Commission’s actions would destabilize the global automotive supply chain, harm European consumers, and hinder the EU’s green transition and international cooperation on climate change. Despite more than 10 rounds of technical consultations between the two sides since June, China urged the EU to take concrete steps to prevent the escalation of trade disputes.
