The EU should create a fair, non-discriminatory and predictable market environment for the joint development of the EV industry in China and Europe and jointly oppose trade protectionism, China's Ministry of Commerce said.

(Image credit: CnEVPost)

China urged the European Union to engage in dialogue with the country after the latter announced yesterday that it was launching an anti-subsidy investigation into electric vehicles (EVs) from China.

The EU leader announced on September 13 the launch of an anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese EVs, which China expresses high concern and strong dissatisfaction with, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of Commerce said in a question-and-answer session today.

China believes that the EU's proposed investigative measures are a move to protect its own industry under the guise of fair competition, according to the Q&A posted on China's Ministry of Commerce website.

This is blatant protectionist behavior. It will seriously disrupt and distort the global automotive industry chain and supply chain, including the EU, and will have a negative impact on China-EU economic and trade relations, the Q&A said.

In recent years, China's EV industry has been developing rapidly and its competitiveness has been improving, which is the result of unremitting scientific and technological innovation and the construction of a complete industrial chain and supply chain, the ministry said.

This is a competitive advantage won through hard work and by virtue of its own strength, and has been welcomed by global users including EU consumers, while making great contributions to the global response to climate change and green transformation including the EU, the Q&A said.

China and the European Union automotive industry has a wide range of cooperation space and common interests, and after years of development, has long formed a pattern that is difficult to separate, according to the Q&A.

EU automotive companies have invested and operated in China for many years, and the Chinese market has become the largest overseas market for many EU car companies. China has always maintained an open and cooperative attitude, and welcomes EU automotive companies to further expand their investment in China, including EVs, the Ministry of Commerce said.

China urges the EU to carry out dialog and discussions with the country from the perspective of maintaining the stability of the global industrial chain and supply chain as well as the overall situation of the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership.

The EU should create a fair, non-discriminatory and predictable market environment for the joint development of the EV industry in China and Europe, and jointly oppose trade protectionism and work together on global efforts to tackle climate change and achieve carbon neutrality, the Q&A said.

China will pay close attention to the European side's protectionist tendencies and follow-up actions, and firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies, it said.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced yesterday that the EU was launching an investigation into EVs from China, whose prices are artificially low due to state subsidies, which are distorting the EU market.

At the same time, she mentioned that it is vital to keep open lines of communication and dialogue with China, as there are still topics on which cooperation is possible and necessary.

EU announces anti-subsidy probe into EVs from China