POLITICO — 2024-06-13
Automotive Industry
European Commission on Wednesday, 12 June 2024, unveiled plans to impose duties of up to 38.1% on electric vehicle imports from China.
Beijing is threatening to file a lawsuit against EU duties on electric vehicle imports from China at the World Trade Organization.
“China reserves the right to file a suit to the WTO and take all necessary measures to resolutely defend the rights and interests of Chinese companies,” He Yadong, China’s commerce ministry spokesman, told a briefing Thursday, AFP reports.
The European Commission on Wednesday, 12 June 2024, announced it plans to impose duties of up to 38.1% on electric vehicle imports from 4 July 2024 — a level that was much higher than expected.
The provisional duties, which come after a months-long investigation into Chinese state aid to its EV-makers, drew immediate condemnation from Beijing. China has already threatened retaliation against European farmers and plane makers and launched an anti-dumping probe targeting the French spirits industry.
He slammed the duties for lacking “a factual and legal basis.”
“This action not only harms the legal rights and interests of the Chinese electric vehicle industry ... but will also distort auto production and supply chains around the world, including in the European Union,” He said.
The duties, He said, are “suspected of violating WTO rules,” calling the EU executive’s move “naked protectionist behavior.”