China has requested France to put pressure on the European Commission to find a solution that will meet the interests of the Chinese and European electric car industries, despite France’s declaration that the union will not compromise on crucial concerns as it seeks to eliminate a brandy duty.
Following the beginning of an anti-subsidy probe into the importation of battery EVs manufactured in China, the EU decided to put taxes on these vehicles last October. In addition to imposing temporary anti-dumping limits on EU brandy imports in October, China has lately started its own investigations into European dairy and pork products.
Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao urged Paris to take “an active role” in exerting pressure on the EU about Chinese electric vehicles at a meeting with French junior trade minister Sophie Primas in Shanghai.
Wang told Primas that, “unlike the EU,” which was “rash” in beginning its EV examination, Beijing’s trade remedy inquiries on EU dairy, pig, and brandy products were in line with the domestic industry’s applications and conformed with WTO regulations. He reiterated that the bloc’s inquiry was a significant issue that had “seriously hindered” collaboration between the two parties.
Wang declared, “China will continue to protect the legitimate rights of enterprises of EU member states, including France, conduct investigations in strict accordance with the law, and make decisions based on facts and evidence.”
But without going into specifics, he said China is willing to work with the European Commission to find a “proper solution” as well.China’s auto industry and the EU. Primas told Wang that the EU does not intend to worsen the situation and wants to continue business with China “but will not yield to pressure on the essential points.”
