Written by Cláudio Afonso | LinkedIn | X
Negotiations between the European Union and China regarding the EU’s anti-subsidy case against imported electric vehicles (EVs) from China are set to resume this Monday, October 7.
Last Friday, Germany and four other EU member states opposed, twelve abstained, and ten voted in favor. Italy, France, Netherlands, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Denmark, Bulgaria, and Ireland voted in favor.
The European Commission (EC) is now authorized to impose high anti-subsidy tariffs on Chinese EVs.
However, negotiations continue and the next round of discussions is taking place this Monday. Over ten technical discussions and two high-level meetings have taken place since June.
In addition to the existing 10 percent duty, anti-subsidy tariffs would affect Tesla with an additional 7.8 percent tariff while BYD would face 17 percent, and Geely 18.8 percent.
Companies that cooperated with the investigation would be subject to a 20.7 percent tariff, while SAIC Group and non-cooperating companies would face a 35.3 percent tariff.
China’s Ministry of Commerce strongly opposes this protectionist measure by the EU, emphasizing the need to resolve disputes through dialogue and consultation.
“We hope the EU understands that imposing tariffs will not resolve the issues but will instead undermine the confidence of Chinese companies investing in Europe,” the spokesperson added, urging the EU to follow through on its political commitment to finding a negotiated solution.
On September 19, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao met with European Commission Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis, where both sides agreed to pursue negotiations to avoid escalating the conflict.
Since then, six additional rounds of talks have taken place, with both sides showing a willingness to cooperate.
“We hope the EU understands that imposing tariffs will not resolve the issues but will instead undermine the confidence of Chinese companies investing in Europe,” the spokesperson added, urging the EU to follow through on its political commitment to finding a negotiated solution.
Written by Cláudio Afonso | LinkedIn | X
