Beijing has filed a WTO complaint over EU tariffs on Chinese electric cars

China has filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization alleging that 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 the move was aimed at protecting the electric vehicle industry and supporting the global transition to greener technologies.

The European bloc announced tariffs of up to 35% on electric car imports from China last month, arguing that Chinese exports were unfairly undercutting EU industry prices.

The obligations remain in force for five years, unless an amicable settlement is reached.

Stimulating the purchase of an electric car — Electric cars have become a major flashpoint in the wider trade dispute (PA)

Electric cars 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 of green technology to the bloc.

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.