Beijing, October 2023 — China’s Ministry of Commerce has strongly denied recent remarks by a European Union (EU) official suggesting that China was reluctant to engage in consultations over electric vehicle (EV) tariffs. The ministry stated that such allegations are “seriously inconsistent with the facts.”
A spokesperson for the ministry responded to comments made by Jorge Toledo Albiñana, the EU’s ambassador to China, emphasizing that China has consistently expressed strong opposition to the EU’s anti-subsidy probe into Chinese EVs since its initiation in October 2023.
“China has demonstrated its utmost sincerity,” the spokesperson noted, citing numerous bilateral exchanges, including face-to-face meetings and correspondence between top leaders and ministerial officials over the past months.
The spokesperson urged the EU to “make joint efforts, demonstrate its sincerity, push forward the consultation process, and reach a mutually acceptable solution as soon as possible.”
Highlighting the broader implications, the ministry added, “Trade protectionist measures are detrimental to the development of global green industries and cooperation in the automotive industry. All countries should work together to promote the green transformation of the economy.”
China reaffirmed its firm opposition to “any unilateralist and protectionist practices that politicize or weaponize trade issues,” vowing to “take all necessary measures to safeguard its own interests” in response to actions it views as an abuse of trade rules.
