China Electric Vehicle: China files complaint against EU in WTO over tariffs on electric vehicles
China Electric Vehicle: The Chinese government has filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) against tariffs imposed by the European Union on electric vehicles manufactured in China.
The Chinese government on Friday filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) against tariffs imposed by the European Union on electric vehicles manufactured in China. The Ministry of Commerce said China has resorted to the WTO dispute settlement mechanism to "protect the development rights and interests of the electric vehicle industry and cooperation on global green transformation."
The European Union has slapped temporary tariffs of up to 37.6 percent on EVs from China, alleging they benefited unfairly from government subsidies. China says its support for the EV industry is WTO-consistent.
The two sides have until the beginning of November to reach an agreement, after which those provisional tariffs will become definitive. According to an industry association, the number of autos exported from China in July went up over last July. However, domestic sales dropped.
The commerce ministry also says the EU tariffs violate WTO rules and destroy global cooperation in the face of climate change.
In response, China has begun investigating French cognac exports and European pork, which some analysts believe may spiral into an economically harmful trade war with the EU.
