“The European Commission‘s decision to press ahead with tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles threatens to undermine decades of cooperation between China and the EU, and endangers climate-change goals,” news agency said.
On Friday, the EU said it would push forward with hefty tariffs on China-made EVs, even after the bloc’s largest economy Germany rejected them. The dispute is its biggest trade row with Beijing in a decade.
State-run news agency said, “The move revealed a deep-seated protectionist impulse.”
“Instead of fostering co-operation, these tariffs risk sparking a trade conflict that could harm not only China-EU relations but also Europe’s own ambition for a green transition,” it stated.
It stated, “The path forward is clear: Protectionist tariffs must be abandoned in favor of continued negotiations.”
Recent increases in the number of Chinese-made electric vehicles imported into Europe have alarmed several domestic EV manufacturers who fear they may lose a lot of money to a flood of low-cost Chinese electric vehicles.
The proposed five-year charges of up to 45% on electric vehicles (EVs) made in China are scheduled to take effect next month, thereby costing automakers billions of more euros to enter the EU.
Following a year-long anti-subsidy probe, the Commission, which is in charge of the bloc’s trade policies, declared that the duties will combat what it views as unjustified Chinese subsidies. It did, however, state on Friday that it will carry on with negotiations with Beijing.
Setting minimum sales pricing could be one way to reach a consensus.
China’s Commerce Ministry has stated that it is ‘unfair, non-compliant, and irrational’ and has expressed strong opposition to the proposed taxes. It has thrown them under the spotlight at the World Trade Organization.
Beijing opened investigations this year against imports of EU brandy, dairy, and pork goods in what have been perceived as retaliatory actions.
China EV imports are subject to a 100% tariff by the United States.
