China won’t accept EU tariffs on its electric cars

Shanghai (China) (EFE). – China has assured that it “neither agrees nor accepts” the European Union’s (EU) decision to impose additional duties of up to 35.3% on electric vehicles imported from the Asian country starting today.

China’s Ministry of Commerce recalled in a statement that it had filed an appeal to the World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement mechanism: “China will continue to take all necessary measures to resolutely protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies. »

China’s fight with the EU since August

In August, the authorities of the Asian country began the process of resolving disputes at the WTO, considering that the EU initiative “seriously violates” the rules of this organization and does not have an “objective and legal basis.”

While a Commerce Department spokesman today stressed that the EU’s anti-subsidy investigation “has many disproportionate aspects” and is “an example of protectionism,” he also reiterated Beijing’s willingness to continue negotiations to “reach a solution acceptable to both sides as soon as possible.” “as soon as possible.”

“China has always been committed to resolving trade disputes through dialogue and consultation and has done its best in this regard. Currently, the technical teams of both sides are conducting a new round of negotiations,” the statement said.

“We hope the EU will work constructively with China, following the principles of pragmatism and balance, addressing each other’s key concerns (…) and avoiding escalating trade tensions,” the spokesman urged.

The European Commission (EC) has adopted a regulation introducing the above-mentioned tariffs, and its publication in the Official Journal of the EU means they will come into force today.

Tariffs 35.3% for SAIC

The community executive will apply a tariff of 35.3% to Chinese manufacturer SAIC (MG and Maxus, among other brands), 18.8% to Geely and 17% to BYD for a maximum of five years.

The measure will also affect Western companies manufacturing products in China, such as the US Tesla, which will be subject to a tariff of 7.8%, while others that cooperated with the Commission in the investigation carried out before the tariffs were approved, the rate will be set. ​rate of 20.7%.

The EU is making this move because it believes that, despite the division it is creating among the Twenty-Seven, it has received sufficient support in a vote that EU governments held earlier this month: five countries opposed the application of tariffs (including Germany) , ten supported them and twelve abstained (one of them was Spain).

The commission has said it would suspend the tariffs if it reaches an agreement with China for the next five years, but would not lift them to buy time to reapply them if Beijing fails to comply with that hypothetical agreement.

In response, China has announced in recent months an investigation into imports of brandy, dairy products and pork from the EU. The latter could be particularly harmful for Spain, since it is the main supplier of the above-mentioned products to China.