China says solving EV case with EU is of ‘great positive significance’

ISTANBUL

China said on Thursday that resolving the electric vehicle (EV) case with the EU within the framework of the WTO is of “great positive significance” amid the current international situation.

Commerce Ministry spokesperson He Yongqian said both China and the EU on Jan. 12 announced “positive outcomes” after multiple rounds of talks, according to state-run Xinhua News.

Remarks from China came after the European Commission on Monday laid out a guidance document on the “submission of price undertaking offers in the context of the anti-subsidy duties in place on battery electric vehicles from China.”

For China, tariffs ranging from 7.8% to 35.3% on electric vehicles represent a trade friction with the EU, while the EU aims to safeguard its automotive sector from an increase in lower-priced imports from China.

In response, the Chinese spokesperson said that a "soft landing" of the case would “significantly boost market confidence and inject fresh momentum into China-EU cooperation in auto trade and investment.”

“A proper settlement of the EV case will facilitate the sound development of China-EU economic and trade relations and help safeguard the stability of global auto industrial and supply chains,” the spokesperson said.