EU and China engage in 'constructive' discussions on EV tariffs.

EU trade chief Valdis Dombrovskis met with China's commerce minister Wang Wentao on Thursday to discuss avoiding high tariffs on imported electric vehicles (EVs). This meeting comes amid increasing divisions in Europe over proposed tariffs, with Spain recently urging the EU to reconsider duties of up to 36 percent on Chinese EVs, joining Germany in opposition.
Dombrovskis described the talks as constructive, emphasizing a mutual commitment to find a workable solution compatible with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules.Wang also engaged with EV sector businesses in Brussels, stating that China would continue negotiations until the end.
In July, the European Commission announced plans for import duties on Chinese EVs following an anti-subsidy investigation that concluded they were unfairly impacting European competitors. The EU aims to protect its automobile industry, which employs around 14 million people.
These tariffs are provisional and will need approval from EU member states by the end of October to become definitive for five years. China has reacted strongly, warning of a potential trade war and filing a WTO appeal. In response, China is investigating European imports like brandy, dairy, and pork.
Dombrovskis characterized these investigations as unjustified, lacking evidence, and called for their termination, stressing the EU's commitment to defending its industries.