The European Commission highlighted on Friday that the European Union and China are due to continue technical negotiations on potential alternatives to tariffs for China-manufactured electric vehicles, despite lingering substantial issues.
The EU is poised to impose new tariffs of up to 35.3% next week on Chinese electric vehicles, following an anti-subsidy investigation, while indicating that discussions could persist beyond this. Possibilities under consideration include minimum price commitments from Chinese manufacturers or investments in Europe as an alternative to tariffs.
Upon completion of a video conference held between EU trade chief Valdis Dombrovskis and Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao, the Commission underlined the mutual agreement on conducting further technical negotiations in the immediate future.
Both Dombrovskis and Wang reiterated their commitment to finding a resolution acceptable to both parties, ensuring an equitable playing field in the EU market and alignment with World Trade Organization rules. Two weeks ago, the EU was urged by China not to engage in separate negotiations with companies, warning it would destabilize the negotiations.
However, Dombrovskis emphasized that discussions with the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products (CCCME) would not preclude talks with individual exporters.
Additionally, Dombrovskis raised concerns about China’s investigations into EU brandy, pork, and dairy, challenging them as unfounded.
