China hopes consultations with EU on EVs probe to make positive progress as soon as possible: spokesperson

BEIJING, June 27 (Xinhua) -- The Ministry of Commerce (MOC) said that it hoped that China-European Union (EU) consultations on the issue of the EU's anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) would make positive progress.

"It is hoped that the EU and China will meet each other halfway to push for positive progress in the consultations as soon as possible and reach a solution acceptable to both sides, so as to avoid the adverse impact of escalating trade frictions on China-EU economic and trade relations," MOC spokesperson He Yadong said in a press conference on Thursday.

He said that China-EU cooperation featured complementarity and mutual benefits. "The two sides have broad room for cooperation in green transformation."

On June 22, Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao talked with European Commission Executive Vice President and Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis via a video link. The two sides agreed to start consultations on the EU's anti-subsidy investigation of Chinese electric vehicles.

"At present, the working teams of the two sides have maintained close communication and stepped up consultations," He said.

The European Commission earlier this month disclosed a plan to impose additional duties on imports of Chinese EVs. The move, widely criticized as protectionist, unveiled provisional tariffs ranging from 17.4 percent to 38.1 percent for Chinese EV makers despite widespread market concerns and China's objections. ■