European Commission official announcements or EU trade policy updates

China Files WTO Complaint Against EU's 35.3% EV Tariffs, Urges France to Aid Resolution

Nov 4, 2024, 02:57 AM

China has filed a lawsuit with the World Trade Organization (WTO) against the European Union's (EU) decision to impose definitive countervailing duties of up to 35.3% on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) for five years. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce stated that the EU's final ruling lacks factual and legal basis, violates WTO rules, and urged the EU to acknowledge its mistakes and correct its violations immediately. On Sunday, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao met with French Foreign Trade Ministerial Delegate Sophie Primas, calling on France, as a key EU member, to play an active role in encouraging the European Commission to show sincerity and meet China halfway for a mutually acceptable solution. China asserts that the EU's countervailing measures seriously hinder China-EU auto industry cooperation and are a major concern for both Chinese and European industries. Despite objections from several European countries emphasizing the need for free trade, the EU proceeded with the tariffs, prompting China's appeal to the WTO.