On August 9, China took the EU’s provisional countervailing measures on electric vehicles to the World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement mechanism. In response, the European Commission said it believes that its countervailing investigations and measures against Chinese imports of electric vehicles are consistent with WTO rules.
August 9, China’s Ministry of Commerce spokesman on the Chinese side in the WTO to sue the EU temporary countervailing measures for electric vehicles to answer reporters’ questions. A reporter asked: It is reported that China has filed a lawsuit in the WTO against the EU’s provisional countervailing measures on electric vehicles. Can you please introduce the specifics?
In response, China’s Ministry of Commerce spokesman said: In order to safeguard the rights and interests of the development of the electric vehicle industry and the global green transition cooperation, on August 9, China will be the EU’s temporary countervailing measures on electric vehicles to the World Trade Organization dispute settlement mechanism. The EU’s determination in the preliminary ruling lacks factual and legal basis, seriously violates the WTO rules, and jeopardizes the overall situation of the global cooperation in addressing climate change. We urge the EU to immediately correct the wrong approach, and jointly maintain China-EU economic and trade cooperation and the stability of the electric vehicle industry chain supply chain.
On August 9, the European Commission said it was carefully studying all the details of the Chinese government’s request to the WTO and would respond to the Chinese authorities in due course in accordance with WTO procedures.
A spokesperson for the European Commission added: “The European Commission is confident that its investigation and interim measures are in line with WTO provisions. China’s request for consultations to the WTO does not affect the timetable of the countervailing investigation, which in the meantime is continuing.”