Recently, 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, along with all Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers, regarding the EU's anti-subsidy investigation into electric vehicles, failed to meet the requirements. The EU plans to reject these price commitment proposals.
In response, China's Ministry of Commerce stated on September 13 that it had taken note of the EU's remarks. The Chinese side expressed deep disappointment that the European Commission had ignored the sincerity and efforts of the Chinese industry and, without thorough communication, intended to reject the flexible solutions proposed by Chinese companies.
On August 20 and September 9, the European Commission twice released final disclosures regarding the anti-subsidy investigation, continuing with incorrect practices and ruling for high tariffs. China cannot agree with or accept these rulings but has always maintained the utmost sincerity, striving to resolve the friction through dialogue and consultation.
On August 24, Chinese industry submitted price commitment solutions within the investigation's procedural deadline, fully considering the EU's concerns and demonstrating maximum flexibility. Chinese companies stated that their price commitment proposals are fully compliant and executable, and that all technical issues can be resolved through consultation. It is understood that several EU member states have also shown significant interest in these price commitment solutions.
The European Commission's decision to reject these proposals without detailed evaluation not only undermines the confidence of the Chinese industry in continued cooperation but also does not meet the expectations of EU member states, nor does it align with the EU's public stance of resolving the case through dialogue.
Since the initiation of consultations on the EU's anti-subsidy investigation on June 22, both parties' working teams have held more than ten rounds of intensive consultations. China has submitted tens of thousands of pages of facts and evidence to the EU and proposed flexible solutions, demonstrating great effort.
However, while the EU claims it is willing to resolve the issue through dialogue, it has quickly and rashly rejected China's proposals and has not provided any specific countermeasures, failing to show sincerity in reaching a mutual resolution. If the consultations ultimately do not result in a consensus, the responsibility will lie entirely with the EU.
The current key issue in the consultations is whether the EU genuinely has the political will to resolve the matter. China urges the EU to sincerely implement the consensus reached during the tripartite meeting between the leaders of China, France, and the EU to properly handle economic and trade frictions through dialogue and consultation. The EU should demonstrate sincerity and take action to seriously consider the legitimate concerns of the Chinese industry.
China remains committed to resolving differences through dialogue and consultation while firmly protecting the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises. China will closely monitor further developments from the EU and will take all necessary measures to defend the legal rights of Chinese companies.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen initiated the anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese-made electric vehicles last year.
On July 4, the European Commission announced that, starting from July 5, it would impose temporary tariffs on imported Chinese electric vehicles, initially set for a period of four months. At the conclusion of the investigation, the European Commission may propose final tariffs, which are expected to be implemented in November and typically last for five years unless another solution is reached.
In response, China has maintained ongoing communication and consultation with the EU.
On September 9, Chinese Vice Minister of Commerce Li Fei met with Sabine Weyand, Director-General of the European Commission's Directorate-General for Trade, in Brussels, Belgium. Li once again expressed the hope that the trade friction between China and the EU could be resolved through dialogue and consultation, with reasonable consideration given to each party's concerns.
On September 19, Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao will meet with Valdis Dombrovskis, Executive Vice President of the European Commission for Trade, in Brussels. The business community is eagerly anticipating this high-level meeting in the economic and trade sectors between China and the EU during this critical period.
China hopes this rare high-level face-to-face meeting will provide a good opportunity to properly address issues related to the electric vehicle investigation and push both sides to reach a solution that aligns with mutual interests and WTO rules, fostering healthy and stable development in China-EU trade relations.
According to media reports, insiders revealed that the EU plans to vote on whether to impose final tariffs on electric vehicles imported from China on September 25. Unless 15 EU member states representing 65% of the EU population vote against it, this will pave the way for the final tariffs to be imposed in November. However, sources indicated that the voting date might still change.
