Automotive industry China sharply criticizes EU adjustment of tariffs on e-cars
China has continued to sharply criticize the European Union's additional tariffs on Chinese electric cars following an adjustment by the EU Commission. The EU's anti-subsidy investigation contradicts the rules of the World Trade Organization, Beijing announced.
21.08.2024, 04:00
SDA
It is an act of unfair competition under the guise of fair competition, said the Ministry of Commerce in Beijing. Brussels had not fully taken China's views into account in the final decision and insisted on its wrong approach.
During the investigation, Beijing and the auto industry had submitted legal documents and evidence to defend themselves against the EU's inappropriate practices, according to the Ministry of Commerce. The two sides have held more than ten meetings on the case since June. The "wrong approach" of the EU Commission will disrupt the stability of the global supply chain in the industry and harm the interests of European consumers, the Chinese authority warned. The EU should take concrete measures to prevent an escalation in the trade dispute.
The EU's announcement
The EU had announced that it would not impose any provisional additional tariffs on Chinese e-cars. The original plan was to retroactively impose high countervailing duties of up to 37.6 percent in certain cases because, according to the EU, e-cars from China benefit from subsidies that distort competition, among other things. According to the authority, the duty rates were also adjusted slightly. In most cases, they fell slightly.
According to the EU Commission, Chinese electric cars are normally around 20 percent cheaper than models manufactured in the EU. However, according to the Commission, the legal requirements for the retroactive imposition of tariffs have not been met. Whether the punitive tariffs will actually be imposed is to be announced by the end of October. The Commission must put this decision to a vote among the 27 EU member states.
