China, EU to meet over electric vehicle subsidies as trade tensions rise

Beijing and Brussels are set for high-stakes discussions over the European Union's investigation into subsidies for Chinese electric vehicles. This comes after the EU announced preliminary tariffs on Chinese EV imports, sparking strong opposition from China.

The announcement of the talks followed a video conference between China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and European Commission Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis on June 22. The EU's anti-subsidy probe, launched earlier this year, addresses concerns that Chinese government subsidies give their domestic EV manufacturers an unfair advantage in the European market.

In a preemptive move, the European Commission disclosed provisional anti-subsidy duties on June 12th. These duties, ranging from 17.4% to 38.1%, would apply to various Chinese EV makers, including industry giants BYD, Geely, and SAIC, as well as up-and-coming brands like Nio and XPeng.

The EU has stated that these duties could come into effect as early as July 4 if consultations with Chinese authorities fail to yield an "effective solution." The final measures would then be implemented within four months of the provisional duties.

China has vehemently opposed these measures, calling them "wrong practices" and expressing "strong dissatisfaction." The country has urged the EU to resolve the issue through dialogue and consultation, highlighting the potential for escalating trade tensions.

The EU's actions build on the existing 10% tariff on imported Chinese EVs. The additional tariffs could significantly impact Chinese EV makers, who have been making inroads into the European market, potentially driving up prices and hindering their growth. The outcome of the upcoming consultations could have far-reaching implications for the global EV industry, shaping the competitive landscape and influencing future trade relations between China and the EU.

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