“On August 9, China challenged the EU’s temporary measures on electric cars in the dispute settlement mechanism of the World Trade Organization against subsidies,” the Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced.
The Ministry stated that the purpose of the complaint is “to protect the development rights and interests of the electric car industry and cooperation in the global green transition.”
“The EU’s initial decision has no factual and legal basis, it seriously violates WTO rules and harms the general situation regarding global cooperation in preventing climate change,” the ministry said.
“We urge the EU to immediately correct its wrong practices and jointly maintain the stability of China-EU economic and trade cooperation, as well as the electric vehicle industry and supply chain,” the statement said.
In July, the EU imposed additional temporary import duties of up to 38% on Chinese electric vehicle imports.
The move comes after the European Commission concluded in an investigation last year that China was unfairly harming European competitors.