The EU decided on the additional duty on Tuesday, considering the subsidies received by Chinese electric cars to be unfair.
China was nervous about the EU imposing a maximum additional duty of more than 35 percent on electric cars made in China. On Wednesday, it filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO).
The EU decided to impose an additional duty of up to 35.3 percent on top of the previous duty of 10 percent on electric cars manufactured in China. The amount of increased import duties varies depending on the manufacturer.
According to China’s Ministry of Commerce, the country will take all necessary measures to protect the legal rights and interests of Chinese companies.
EU trade commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis stressed on Tuesday that the measures have been taken after a detailed investigation. According to an EU investigation, Chinese electric car manufacturers receive subsidies that harm European manufacturers.
According to Dombrovskis, the measures are proportionate and targeted and they defend fair market practices and the European industrial base.
– Competition is welcome, also in the electric vehicle sector, but it must be based on fairness and equal operating conditions, Dombrovskis said.
However, Germany’s main auto industry union warned that the tariffs would increase the risk of a far-reaching trade conflict.
Source: STT-AFP