Beijing, June 23 (EFE).- China and the European Union have agreed to begin a consultation process on tariffs imposed by the bloc on Chinese electric vehicles.
China’s Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and Executive Vice President of the European Commission (EC) Valdis Dombrovskis spoke over a video conference on Saturday night where they agreed to start the negotiations, the Chinese ministry said in a brief statement.
Last week, the European Commission announced additional tariffs averaging 21 percent on imports of electric vehicles from China following an anti-subsidy investigation initiated in October last year.
China responded by launching an anti-dumping investigation against certain imports of pork and derivatives from the European Union (EU).
Given that Brussels’ tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles will come into provisional effect before July 4 but won’t be finalized until November, Beijing is demanding the bloc to retract the measure, escalating commercial pressure.
In recent days, Chinese state media also hinted at potential tariff increases on large-engine vehicle imports or another anti-dumping investigation targeting European dairy products.
The proposed negotiations follow the visit to China by German Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck, who supported the EU’s tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles on Saturday, emphasizing it is not a punitive measure but a necessary adjustment for fair competition.
Nevertheless, Habeck voiced opposition to the global trend towards increased protectionism, which he described as «wrong and dangerous.»
The Vice Chancellor, who reiterated he wasn’t negotiating on behalf of the EC, admitted that the tariff issue played a significant role in his meetings with Chinese government officials.
«The doors are open for dialogue, and I hope this message is heard,» Habeck said in Shanghai after meetings with Chinese officials in Beijing.
According to Habeck, there is still time for consultations before Brussels’ tariffs take effect in November, although he emphasized that «subsidies aimed at increasing export advantages for companies cannot be accepted.” EFE jco-ssk
