China stated this Wednesday that it “does not accept or agree” with the decision of the European Union (EU) to apply, starting this Wednesday, customs tariffs of up to 35.3% on electric vehicles imported from the Asian country.
The Chinese Ministry of Commerce recalled, in a statement, that filed an appeal with the dispute resolution mechanism of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
“China will continue to take all necessary measures to resolutely protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies.”Peking said.
In August, Chinese authorities began a dispute resolution process with the WTO, stating that the The EU “seriously violated” the organization’s rules and had “no objective or legal basis”.
Although the trade spokesperson stressed this Wednesday that the EU anti-subsidy investigation constitutes a “manifestation of protectionism”He also reiterated Beijing’s willingness to continue negotiating to “reach a mutually acceptable solution as quickly as possible.”
“China has always been committed to resolving trade disputes through dialogue and consultation, and has done everything within its power in this area. At the moment, The technical teams of both parties are holding a new round of negotiations.“, reads the same note.
“We hope that the EU will work constructively with China, follow the principles of pragmatism and balance, address the main concerns of each party (…) and avoid an escalation of trade frictions,” the spokesperson insisted.
The community executive applied punitive rates of 35.3% to the Chinese manufacturer SAIC (MG and Maxus, among other brands), 18.8% to Geely and 17% to BYD, for a maximum period of five years.
The measure will also affect Western companies that produce in China, such as the North American teslawhat will be subject to a rate of 7.8%while other persons who have cooperated with the Commission in the investigation that you developed before approving the rates will be subject to a 20.7% rate.
The EU takes this step after, despite the division among the 27, it received enough support in the vote of EU governments earlier this month: five countries opposed the rates (including Germany), ten supported and twelve abstained.
The Commission said it would suspend customs duties in the event of an agreement with China for the next five years, but would not cancel them, in order to buy time to restore them if Beijing did not honor the agreement.
In retaliation, China announced investigations into imports of brandy, dairy products and pork from the EU in recent months.
Source: Observadora
