‘Based on subjective assumptions without sufficient evidence’
China is certainly not positive about the investigation announced by the European Commission into the way in which electric cars from China are marketed cheaply in Europe due to state subsidies. This was already apparent earlier, but the Chinese Ministry of Commerce is now even more critical of the EU investigation.
In September, the European Commission announced that it would launch an investigation into Chinese electric cars being brought to Europe. Chinese EVs would be offered at relatively low prices in Europe due to large state subsidies and would thus compete unfairly with electric cars from European manufacturers, among others. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce previously called the announced investigation a “pure form of protectionism” that “will disrupt the international auto industry and supply chain.” The Chinese Ministry of Commerce is now even more critical of the announced investigation.
China’s Ministry of Commerce spokesperson says the so-called anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese electric cars is “based solely on subjective assumptions about so-called subsidy” and says it is “[…] lacks sufficient evidence to support this.” It does not stop there. The ministry even says that the proposed investigation “is contrary to the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO)”. The Chinese authorities reiterate that the investigation planned by the EU is purely intended to protect European industry and that the EU is hiding behind the pursuit of “fair trade.” The ministry continues to believe that these are protectionist measures that will affect the global automotive industry and supply chains – including in the European Union – will disrupt and disrupt. The ministry also emphasizes that the EU investigation has a negative effect on trade relations between China and the European Union.
In its own words, China’s Ministry of Commerce urges the EU to focus on “[…] the strategic partnership between China and the EU” and to strengthen cooperation between the two economic powers in order to create a “fair and predictable market”.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl