Beijing, October 25 — China has reiterated its commitment to resolving the ongoing dispute with the European Union over tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) through constructive dialogue. Speaking at a regular press briefing on Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian emphasized Beijing’s willingness to find a mutually beneficial solution.
“China has put forward flexible solutions to address the concerns raised by the EU,” Lin Jian told reporters. “However, despite expressing a desire to resolve differences through dialogue, the EU continues to reject our proposals and has not presented any specific counterproposals.”
The dispute centers around the anti-subsidy investigation initiated by the European Commission into Chinese EVs. Lin described the investigation as “a typical act of protectionism and political maneuvering” that disregards objective facts and World Trade Organization rules. He warned that such actions “go against historical trends and undermine the EU’s green transition and global efforts to combat climate change.”
In July, the EU began imposing provisional additional tariffs ranging from 17.4 percent to 37.6 percent on imports of Chinese EVs. These measures are set to take effect on July 5, 2024, with a four-month period during which a final decision on definitive duties will be made.
Lin expressed hope that the EU would “show sincerity and take action” to consider the reasonable concerns and suggestions from the Chinese EV industry. “If the European Commission insists on its unilateral approach, China will take necessary measures to firmly defend the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese businesses and industries,” he cautioned.
The escalating tensions between China and the EU over trade practices in the EV sector come at a critical time for global efforts to combat climate change. As leading players in the EV market, collaboration between China and the EU is seen as vital for advancing sustainable transportation and achieving emissions reduction targets.
Industry analysts are watching closely as developments unfold, noting that prolonged disputes could have significant ramifications for international trade relations and the global EV industry.
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China says committed to dialogue to resolve EV tariff dispute with EU
cgtn.com
