China and the European Union (EU) held a comprehensive, in-depth, and constructive consultation on Thursday regarding the EU’s ongoing anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), according to a statement released by China’s Ministry of Commerce.
The meeting between Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao and European Commission Executive Vice President and Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis marked a significant step toward resolving the disputes over EV tariffs. Both sides expressed a strong political will to address their differences through consultations.
According to the ministry’s statement, China and the EU agreed to continue advancing negotiations on price commitments. They emphasized their commitment to sparing no effort in reaching a mutually acceptable solution through friendly dialogue and consultation.
The European Commission had initiated the anti-subsidy investigation without a formal complaint from EU industries, a move the Chinese Ministry of Commerce described as “non-compliant, unreasonable, and unfair.”
Despite disagreeing with the investigation, China has consistently demonstrated sincerity and has made efforts to resolve the issue properly through dialogue and consultation. The ministry highlighted that the Chinese EV industry proposed a price commitment solution during the investigation and further refined it based on EU concerns, showcasing the utmost flexibility and sincerity from the Chinese side.
This development underscores the importance of cooperation between China and the EU in the rapidly growing electric vehicle market. As both parties continue negotiations, there is hope for a resolution that will benefit industries and consumers on both sides.
Reference(s):
China, EU hold constructive consultation on EV tariff disputes
cgtn.com
