China has called on the European Union (EU) to acknowledge the facts and adhere to established rules in the ongoing consultations over the EU’s anti-subsidy probe into Chinese electric vehicles (EVs).
On Thursday, the Ministry of Commerce (MOC) spokesperson, He Yongqian, emphasized that “facts and rules are the two major pillars” for resolving the dispute. “The facts should be objective and mutually recognized by both parties, rather than unilaterally determined,” He stated.
He urged the EU to “face up to the facts that China’s competitive advantage in EVs does not come from subsidies,” highlighting that cooperation between China and the EU in the automotive industry fosters shared development. The spokesperson noted that even the EU industry opposes trade protectionist measures, calling for the EU to make reasonable and objective decisions based on facts and rules.
The tensions escalated after the European Commission introduced provisional additional tariffs of up to 37.6 percent on Chinese EV makers on July 4. These tariffs, widely criticized as protectionist, have drawn objections from China and raised concerns over increasing costs for EU consumers and the potential impact on global efforts towards green transitions.
In response, the MOC launched a trade and investment barrier investigation on Wednesday into the EU’s practices in its foreign subsidy investigations.
China has reiterated its commitment to reaching a mutually acceptable solution to the trade dispute involving Chinese EVs exported to the EU. The ongoing consultations underscore the importance of open dialogue and adherence to international trade norms to ensure the healthy development of the global EV industry.
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China calls on EU to acknowledge facts amid EV anti-subsidy probe
cgtn.com
