Commerce Min Hits Out At EU Probe On China Electric Vehicles

(MNI) London - At a meeting with European Commission Exec VP Valdis Dombrovskis in Beijing, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao "Expresses serious concern and strong dissatisfaction that the EU will launch a countervailing investigation over China's electric vehicles." Claims that the "Countervailing measure proposed by the EU is a protectionist act that will affect China-EU green cooperation."

• Wang: "Rapid development of electric vehicles in China relies on R&D innovation, free competition and a complete industrial system. [Wang] Hopes EU, China will conduct dialogue and consultation, strictly abide by the relevant WTO rules....Hopes China, EU properly resolve trade frictions in a non-politicised and non-discriminatory manner."
• In an interview with the FT, Dombrovskis - who also serves as Trade Commissioner - claimed that "...there was “sufficient prima facie evidence” to justify the probe into imports from China of battery-powered vehicles, which Brussels fears could overwhelm the bloc’s car industry."
• FT: "The EU was “open to competition” in the EV sector, but “competition needs to be fair”, said Dombrovskis, adding that other large economies had already introduced tariffs on battery EVs from China. “The EU is now probably the largest market which is open for Chinese producers,” he said."