EV tariffs will damage Germany, China, says Chinese commerce minister ahead of EU vote
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
The European Commission is on the verge of proposing final tariffs of up to 35.3 per cent on EVs built in China, on top of the EU’s standard 10 per cent car import duty.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Follow topic:
BEIJING – China’s commerce minister said the European Union’s likely imposition of tariffs on electric vehicles (EV) will “seriously interfere” with trade and investment cooperation, and hurt both China and Germany.
In talks on Sept 17 with German Vice-Chancellor and Economy Minister Robert Habeck, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao said he hoped to reach a solution in line with World Trade Organisation rules as soon as possible. He also said he hoped to avoid the escalation of China-EU economic and trade frictions, according to a statement released by China’s Ministry of Commerce early on Sept 18.
The European Commission is on the verge of proposing final tariffs of up to 35.3 per cent on EVs built in China,
Mr Wang is visiting Europe for talks on the EU’s anti-subsidy case against Chinese-made EVs ahead of a vote on more tariffs.
He said it is hoped that Germany will proceed from its own interests and push the European Commission and China to work in the same direction.
Mr Habeck said that Germany supports free trade and welcomes Chinese auto and parts companies to invest in Europe.
He added he would urge the European Commission to find an appropriate solution with China and make every effort to avoid trade conflicts, according to the ministry statement.
Mr Wang also met with Mr Wolfgang Schmidt, head of the German Chancellery, in Berlin, according to a separate statement issued by China’s commerce ministry on Sept 18, where he told Mr Schmidt that China has insisted on properly resolving the anti-subsidy case against the country through dialogue and consultation.
China was deeply disappointed after the EU ignored China’s efforts, insisted on ruling for high countervailing duty rates and hastily rejected the package solution proposed by the Chinese industry, Mr Wang said in the talks.
Mr Wang said China would not give up its efforts and will persist in holding consultations “until the last moment”.
“It is hoped that Germany, as a core member of the EU, will take the lead in playing an active role and urge the European Commission to show political will and work together with China to properly resolve the case,” Mr Wang said. This is according to a second statement on the talks from the commerce ministry, also released on Sept 18. REUTERS
