China Calls on France to Mediate Electric Vehicle Trade Dispute with EU
Source: DairyNews.today
China is urging France to help mediate a trade solution between the Chinese and European electric vehicle (EV) sectors, amid rising tensions over EU tariffs on Chinese-made battery electric vehicles.
The appeal was made by Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao during a meeting with French junior trade minister Sophie Primas in Shanghai, where discussions centered on reducing barriers in the EV industry while addressing tariffs imposed by both sides on various products.
In October, the EU implemented tariffs on Chinese EVs following an anti-subsidy investigation launched last year, citing concerns over subsidized imports impacting the European auto market. In response, China has initiated its own trade investigations, including temporary anti-dumping duties on EU-imported brandy, along with probes into European dairy and pork imports.
Wang emphasized that the EU’s anti-subsidy probe is a “major concern” for China and has negatively impacted collaboration within the China-EU auto sector. He called on France to play an “active role” in encouraging the EU to seek a mutually agreeable outcome. However, Primas maintained that the EU would stand firm on issues it views as essential, while continuing to support fair and open trade with China. “We will continue to defend fairer competition that benefits everyone,” Primas’ office stated, noting that France remains open to dialogue with China on trade challenges, including the brandy tariffs.
The exchange highlights the strain in China-EU trade relations, with each side citing WTO rules to justify its respective trade measures. Wang defended China's recent investigations as compliant with WTO standards and insisted they were in response to petitions from domestic producers. He contrasted this with what he called the EU’s “rash” approach in launching its EV investigation.
Despite these tensions, Wang expressed a willingness to work with the European Commission on a “proper solution” to the EV trade dispute, though details on potential compromises were not provided. Primas’ visit, part of a three-day mission, is aimed at addressing China’s tariffs on brandy, which France has labeled as political and baseless.
China’s recent probes into EU pork and dairy products, and its temporary anti-dumping tariffs on brandy, suggest a strategic response to the EU’s actions against Chinese EVs, underscoring the complex trade landscape as both parties seek to balance protection of their industries with maintaining open markets.
In October, the EU implemented tariffs on Chinese EVs following an anti-subsidy investigation launched last year, citing concerns over subsidized imports impacting the European auto market. In response, China has initiated its own trade investigations, including temporary anti-dumping duties on EU-imported brandy, along with probes into European dairy and pork imports.
Wang emphasized that the EU’s anti-subsidy probe is a “major concern” for China and has negatively impacted collaboration within the China-EU auto sector. He called on France to play an “active role” in encouraging the EU to seek a mutually agreeable outcome. However, Primas maintained that the EU would stand firm on issues it views as essential, while continuing to support fair and open trade with China. “We will continue to defend fairer competition that benefits everyone,” Primas’ office stated, noting that France remains open to dialogue with China on trade challenges, including the brandy tariffs.
The exchange highlights the strain in China-EU trade relations, with each side citing WTO rules to justify its respective trade measures. Wang defended China's recent investigations as compliant with WTO standards and insisted they were in response to petitions from domestic producers. He contrasted this with what he called the EU’s “rash” approach in launching its EV investigation.
Despite these tensions, Wang expressed a willingness to work with the European Commission on a “proper solution” to the EV trade dispute, though details on potential compromises were not provided. Primas’ visit, part of a three-day mission, is aimed at addressing China’s tariffs on brandy, which France has labeled as political and baseless.
China’s recent probes into EU pork and dairy products, and its temporary anti-dumping tariffs on brandy, suggest a strategic response to the EU’s actions against Chinese EVs, underscoring the complex trade landscape as both parties seek to balance protection of their industries with maintaining open markets.
