China urges fair treatment for EVs in Europe

China expressed its disappointment with the European Commission's recent decisions regarding the EU's anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese electric vehicles, stressing it will take all necessary measures to defend the interests of its businesses, as announced by the Ministry of Commerce on Friday.

On Sept 12, a spokesperson for the European Commission stated that the price commitment solutions submitted by the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products, as well as all electric vehicle manufacturers, regarding the EU's anti-subsidy case on electric vehicles, did not meet the necessary requirements. The EU intends to reject the related price commitment applications.

China finds the EU disregarded the good faith and efforts made by the Chinese EV industry by rejecting flexible solution proposals without conducting thorough consultations, per a spokesperson from the Ministry of Commerce in an online statement.

On Aug 20 and Sept 9, the EC released its final disclosure in the EV anti-subsidy case, maintaining its stance and imposing high tariffs.

On Aug 24, within the legal time frame of the investigation, the Chinese EV industry proposed a price commitment solution, which fully took into account the EU's concerns and demonstrated maximum flexibility.

The Chinese EV industry believes that the proposed price commitment is compliant, enforceable, and all technical issues could be resolved through negotiations. It was reported that several EU member states also showed considerable interest in this proposal.

According to the statement, the EC rejected the solution without a detailed evaluation, undermining the confidence of the Chinese EV industry and failing to meet the expectations of EU member states.

Since the launch of consultations on the EU's EV anti-subsidy case on June 22, China and the EU have conducted more than ten rounds of intensive discussions. China has submitted a substantial amount of factual evidence, along with a flexible resolution proposal, demonstrating considerable effort, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

The spokesperson stated that while the EU claims to be willing to resolve the issue through dialogues, it has hastily and carelessly rejected China's proposals, without ever providing any concrete counter-offers or showing any genuine intent to meet China halfway. If the consultations ultimately fail to reach a consensus, the responsibility will rest entirely with the EU.

It was also stressed that the key issue now is whether the EU has the political will to resolve the problem and called on the EU to demonstrate sincerity and consider the legitimate concerns of the Chinese EV industry.

China has the utmost sincerity in resolving differences through dialogue and consultations, as well as the strongest determination to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies. "The country will closely watch the EU's subsequent actions and will take all necessary measures to defend the legal rights of Chinese companies," said the Ministry of Commerce.