Beijing hopes EU will reconsider tariffs on EVs

Reuters

China's commerce minister said the European Union's imposition of tariffs on electric vehicles will "seriously interfere" with trade and investment cooperation and hurt both China and Germany.

In talks with German vice chancellor and economic minister Robert Habeck, Wang Wentao said he hoped to reach a solution in line with World Trade Organization rules as soon as possible and avoid an escalation of China-EU economic and trade friction, according to a statement released by China's Ministry of Commerce early on Wednesday.

Habeck said that Germany supports free trade, welcomes Chinese auto and parts companies to invest in Europe and will urge the European Commission to find an appropriate solution with China and make every effort to avoid trade conflicts, according to the ministry statement.

The European Commission is on the verge of proposing final tariffs of up to 35.3 percent on EVs built in China, on top of the EU's standard 10 percent car import duty.

Wang is visiting Europe for talks on the EU's anti-subsidy case against Chinese-made EVs ahead of a vote on more tariffs.

He hopes Germany will act beyond just its own interests and push the European Commission and China to work in the same direction.

Wang also met with Wolfgang Schmidt of the German Chancellery in Berlin, according to a separate statement issued by China's commerce ministry on Wednesday, where he told Schmidt China has insisted on properly resolving the anti-subsidy case through dialogue and consultation.

China will not give up its efforts and will persist in holding consultations "until the last moment," said Wang.