While France stated that the union would not compromise on important issues as it works to lift a brandy duty, China has asked France to pressure the European Commission to find a solution that will satisfy the needs of the European and Chinese electric car industries.
Last October, the EU opted to impose duties on battery EVs made in China after opening an anti-subsidy investigation into their importation. China has recently begun its own inquiries into European dairy and pork products, and in October it placed temporary anti-dumping restrictions on EU brandy imports.
In a meeting with French junior trade minister Sophie Primas in Shanghai , Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao called on Paris to play “an active role” in pressuring the EU on Chinese electric vehicles.
He reaffirmed that the bloc’s inquiry was a significant issue that had “seriously hindered” collaboration between the Wang informed Primas that, “unlike the EU” which was “rash” in starting its EV examination, Beijing’s trade remedy inquiries on EU dairy, pig, and brandy products were in line with the domestic industry’s applications and conformed with WTO regulations.
“China will continue to conduct investigations in strict accordance with the law, safeguard the legitimate rights of enterprises of EU member states, including France, and make rulings based on facts and evidence,” said Wang .
However, without providing further details, he stated that China is prepared to collaborate with the European Commission in pursuit of a “proper solution” as well.EU and China’s auto industry. Primas informed Wang that the EU wants to keep trading with China “but will not yield to pressure on the essential points” and will not aggravate the situation.