China’s commerce ministry has criticized the European Commission for its handling of an eight-month anti-subsidy probe into Chinese automakers, calling the amount of detailed information requested unprecedented and accusing the Commission of undermining fair competition.
The European Commission, responsible for trade policy in the 27-nation European Union, announced on June 12 that it would impose additional duties of up to 38.1% on imported Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) starting in July to counter what it deemed excessive Chinese subsidies.
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Chinese automakers expressed shock and disappointment at the decision, stating that they had cooperated fully with the investigation. “The type, scope and quantity of information collected by the European side was unprecedented and far more than what is required for a countervailing duties investigation,” said He Yadong, a spokesperson for the Chinese commerce ministry.
The information requested by the Commission included details on sourcing raw materials for batteries, manufacturing components, pricing, and developing sales channels, according to the spokesperson. Chinese state media also suggested that the Commission’s demands were unreasonable and raised concerns about spying on the Chinese EV industry.
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He Yadong criticized the Commission’s actions, stating that they lacked a legal basis and harmed global efforts towards a green transition and open cooperation. The probe has strained relations between China and the EU, highlighting the challenges of trade disputes in the rapidly evolving EV market.
