China has filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization over EU tariffs on Chinese electric cars

GENEVA (AP) — China has filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization alleging the European Union wrongly imposed anti-subsidy tariffs on new Chinese-made electric cars.

China’s diplomatic mission to the WTO said Monday it “strongly opposes” the measures and insisted its move was aimed at protecting the electric vehicle industry and supporting the global transition to greener technologies.

European bloc announced last month he imposed import duties of up to 35% on electric cars from China, arguing that Chinese exports were unfairly undercutting EU industry prices. The obligations remain in force for five years, unless an amicable settlement is reached.

Electric vehicles have become a major flashpoint in a broader trade dispute over the impact of Chinese state subsidies on European markets and Beijing’s growing exports. green technologies to the block

According to the mission statement, China argued that the EU’s move was an “abuse of trade remedies” in violation of WTO rules and constituted “protectionist” measures.

Valdis Dombrovskis, the EU Commission’s executive vice-president, last week called the moves “proportionate and targeted” and aimed at upholding fair market practices and supporting the bloc’s industrial base.