China Urges France to Take an Active Role in Finding a Reasonable Solution to EU Electric Vehicle Trade Issues

Forex - The Chinese Ministry of Commerce has stated that it wants the European Commission to take an "active role" in steering acceptable solutions for both the European and Chinese electric vehicle industries. During a conversation with French Commerce Minister Sophie Primas, Trade Minister Wang Wentao emphasized that the European Union's investigation into China's electric vehicles is a major concern and has "seriously hindered" China-EU cooperation in the automotive industry. Wang noted that China's trade remedy investigations into EU's brandy, pork, and dairy products are appropriate in response to the local industry's applications, unlike the "hasty" initiation of the electric vehicle investigation by the EU, and comply with World Trade Organization rules. Wang stated, “China will continue to conduct the investigations in accordance with the law, protect the legitimate rights of businesses from EU member countries, including France, and make decisions based on facts and evidence,” and he also mentioned, without going into detail, that China is willing to work with the European Commission for a "suitable solution."