The Chinese government has filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) about tariffs imposed by the European Union on Chinese-made electric automobiles.
According to the commerce ministry, China has used the WTO dispute settlement process “to safeguard the development rights and interests of the electric vehicle industry and cooperation on the global green transformation”.
The EU has placed provisional tariffs of up to 37.6% on EVs manufactured in China, claiming that they unfairly benefit from government subsidies.
China claims its support for the EV industry complies with WTO regulations.
The two sides have until early November to work out their disagreements before the provisional tariffs become official.
China’s auto exports rose in July compared with the same month last year, while domestic sales fell, an industry association has reported.
The commerce ministry said that the EU tariffs violate WTO rules and undermine global cooperation on climate change.
In response, China has launched investigations into French cognac exports and European pork in what some analysts fear could develop into an economically harmful trade war with the EU.
