The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Commerce speak out! Chairman of BMW: Wrong decision! The European Union "attacked" China's electric vehicles, and many well-known car companies were recruited

National Business Daily

2024-06-12 19:42Published on the official account of Sichuan Daily Economic News

Edited: Huang Sheng

CCTV News, on June 12, local time, the European Commission disclosed the level of temporary tariffs imposed on battery electric vehicles (BEVs) imported from China.

The European Commission imposed tariffs on three sampled Chinese automakers: BYD at 17.4%, Geely at 20%, and SAIC at 38.1%.

Other battery EV producers in China who participated in the survey but have not yet sampled will be subject to a weighted average tax of 21%. The European Commission said that if discussions with the Chinese side do not lead to an effective solution, the temporary tariffs will be introduced from July 4.

Image source: Photo by Zhou You, a special correspondent

According to the National Business Daily, on June 12, the BMW Group expressed a clear position on the European Commission's tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. BMW Group Chairman Zipzer said: "The European Commission's decision to impose tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles is wrong. The imposition of tariffs will hinder the development of European automakers and harm Europe's own interests. Protectionism is bound to trigger a ripple effect: tariffs in response to tariffs, and isolation in lieu of cooperation. For the BMW Group, protectionist measures such as increasing import tariffs will not help companies improve their global competitiveness. The BMW Group is an unwavering advocate of free trade. ”

The Ministry of Commerce responded

Q: On June 12, the European Commission issued a preliminary ruling on the countervailing duty investigation into electric vehicles in China, revealing that it intends to impose temporary countervailing duties on electric vehicles imported from China. Do you have any comment?

A: China noted that on June 12, the European Commission issued a preliminary ruling on the countervailing investigation of electric vehicles from China, disclosing that it intends to impose temporary countervailing duties on electric vehicles imported from China. China is highly concerned and strongly dissatisfied with the fact that the EU side has ignored China's repeated strong opposition, and ignored the appeals and dissuasion of the governments and industries of many EU member states.

Image source: Photo by Liu Guomei, National Business Daily

The findings disclosed in the EU ruling lack factual and legal basis. Ignoring the objective fact that China's electric vehicle advantage comes from open competition, ignoring WTO rules, and ignoring the full cooperation of relevant Chinese enterprises in relevant investigations, the European Commission artificially constructs and exaggerates the so-called "subsidy" items, abuses the "available facts" rule, and cuts the abnormally high subsidy range, which is a naked protectionist act, creates and escalates trade frictions, and "undermines fair competition" in the name of "maintaining fair competition", which is the biggest "unfairness". This move by the EU will not only damage the legitimate rights and interests of China's electric vehicle industry, but also disrupt and distort the global automotive industry chain and supply chain, including the EU.

The European Commission is holding high the banner of green development with one hand and wielding the big stick of "protectionism" with the other hand to politicize and weaponize economic and trade issues, which is not in line with the spirit of the consensus of Chinese and EU leaders on strengthening cooperation, and will affect the atmosphere of bilateral economic and trade cooperation between China and the EU, which is not conducive to the interests of EU consumers themselves, and will also undermine the overall situation of the EU's own green transformation and global cooperation on climate change.

China urges the EU to immediately correct its wrong practices, earnestly implement the important consensus reached at the recent trilateral meeting between China, France and the EU, and properly handle economic and trade frictions through dialogue and consultation. China will closely follow the EU's follow-up progress and will resolutely take all necessary measures to firmly defend the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded: Typical protectionism

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian held a regular press conference today (12th).

According to CCTV News, a reporter asked: It is reported that the EU will impose tariffs of up to 25% on electric vehicles imported from China from next month, has China been notified of this decision? Do you have any comment?

Spokesman Lin Jian said that China has repeatedly clarified its position on the EU's anti-subsidy investigation on China's electric vehicles, and I also answered relevant questions yesterday, and I want to emphasize that this anti-subsidy investigation is a typical protectionism. The EU's imposition of tariffs on electric vehicles imported from China on this ground violates the principles of market economy and international trade rules, undermines China-EU economic and trade cooperation and the stability of the global automobile supply chain, and ultimately harms Europe's own interests.

We have noticed that politicians and industry representatives in many European countries have recently expressed their opposition to the European Commission's investigation, arguing that trying to protect the European industry by raising taxes on Chinese electric vehicles is the wrong approach, that protectionism has no future, and that openness and cooperation are the right way. We urge the EU to abide by its commitment to support free trade and oppose protectionism, and work with China to safeguard the overall situation of China-EU economic and trade cooperation. China will take all necessary measures to firmly safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.

Daily Economic News Comprehensive Xinhua News Agency, CCTV News, Ministry of Commerce Website, "Daily Economic News" (Reporter: Pei Jianru)

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