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china news service, september 18, comprehensive report, on the 17th local time, german federal vice chancellor and minister of economic affairs and climate protection habeck issued a statement after meeting with chinese officials, calling for a political solution to the dispute between the eu and china over electric vehicle tariffs.

"we want to avoid a trade conflict that will see tariffs escalate, which will ultimately harm the interests of both sides," habeck said. "the european commission and china should make every effort to find a solution through consultation."

according to previous reports, on october 4, 2023, the european commission launched an anti-subsidy investigation on electric vehicles imported from china; on july 4, 2024, it imposed temporary anti-subsidy duties on chinese electric vehicles; on august 20, 2024, the european commission issued a draft final ruling on the anti-subsidy investigation on chinese electric vehicles, indicating that it plans to impose anti-subsidy duties of 17% to 36.3% on chinese electric vehicles.

on september 10, reuters disclosed in a report that based on the materials submitted by various companies, the european union made a slight reduction in the proposed tax rates for some automakers.

the report quoted sources as saying that the eu plans to reduce the additional tax rate on tesla imported from china from the original 9% to 7.8%, keep the additional tax rate on byd at 17%, and reduce the tax rate on geely from 19.3% to 18.8%. other companies that do not cooperate with the investigation will be subject to the highest tax rate of 35.3%.

according to reuters, the 27 eu countries are expected to vote on september 25 on whether to continue to impose high tariffs on chinese electric vehicles. germany abstained from voting in the first consultative vote. reuters said this means that germany supports the european commission to continue negotiations with china.

regarding the eu's plan to impose additional tariffs on chinese electric vehicles, chinese foreign ministry spokesman mao ning said on september 12 that the development of the electric vehicle industry is in the common interests of china and europe. the two sides will work together to meet challenges, which will benefit enterprises and consumers on both sides and help china, europe and the world's green transformation. china has always been sincere and actively sought solutions that are in line with wto rules and acceptable to both sides. it is hoped that the eu will listen more to rational and objective opinions, fully recognize the complementary advantages and cooperation potential between china and europe in the field of electric vehicles, show flexibility and sincerity, meet china halfway, properly handle economic and trade frictions through dialogue and consultation, and promote the healthy and stable development of china-eu economic and trade relations.

on september 10, china's ministry of commerce responded to the eu's anti-subsidy case against china's electric vehicles. the spokesperson of the ministry of commerce said that the anti-subsidy case against electric vehicles is complicated and has a wide impact. it is challenging for china and the eu to reach an agreement through consultations. however, china believes that as long as the eu shows sincerity and moves towards each other, the concerns of both sides can be resolved through consultations. china is willing to continue to work closely with the eu to strive to reach a solution that is in the common interests of both sides and in line with wto rules as soon as possible, and promote the healthy and stable development of china-eu economic and trade relations.