As long as both parties agree to hold fresh trade talks, China wants the European Union (EU) to remove preliminary tariffs on its electric vehicles by July 4th.
The European Union is set to apply temporary tariffs of up to 38.1% on China-imported electric vehicles starting on July 4.
China has repeatedly requested that the EU remove tariffs, demonstrating its willingness to engage, but it has also stated that, should a tariff war break out, it will take all necessary precautions to protect its businesses.
China’s trade ministry stated on June 14 that the country is adamantly against the taxes, calling them “blatant protectionism” and perhaps in violation of WTO regulations.
Both sides have agreed to resume discussions after a call between EU Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis and China’s Commerce Minister on Saturday during a visit to China by Germany’s economy minister, who said the doors for discussion are “open.”
The tariffs are set to be finalised on Nov. 2 at the end of the EU anti-subsidy investigation, the newswire further noted.
“The EU side emphasised that any negotiated outcome to its investigation must be effective in addressing the injurious subsidisation,” a Commission spokesperson said.