China has urged the European Union to reconsider its plan to impose temporary tariffs of up to 38.1 percent on battery electric vehicles (BEVs) imported from China, emphasizing the need to avoid harming bilateral cooperation and mutual trust.
On Thursday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian responded to the European Commission’s announcement, highlighting concerns over the proposed tariffs set to take effect from July 4. The commission concluded its ongoing investigation on Wednesday, leading to the tariff proposal. Major European car manufacturers, including Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Stellantis, have expressed opposition to the plan.
“We urge the EU to seriously listen to these objective and rational voices, immediately correct the wrong practices, stop politicizing economic and trade issues, properly deal with economic and trade frictions through dialogue and consultation, and avoid damaging mutual trust, dialogue, and cooperation between China and the EU,” Lin stated.
Lin criticized the EU’s investigation as “a typical act of protectionism,” accusing it of ignoring objective facts, disregarding World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, and running counter to historical trends. He emphasized that such actions benefit no one.
China’s stance is clear: it will “resolutely take all necessary measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of its BEV enterprises,” Lin declared.
The dispute arises amid growing concerns over trade protectionism and its impact on global economic relations. The proposed tariffs have sparked a debate within Europe, with major automotive companies fearing negative repercussions on the industry and advocating for open trade practices.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
