EU and China to start talks on planned electric vehicle tariffs

(Patria) - China and the EU have agreed to start talks on the planned introduction of tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs) imported into the European market, high-ranking officials from both countries announced.

German Economy Minister Robert Habeck said that European Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis informed him that there would be concrete negotiations on tariffs with China, reports SEEbiz.

Confirmation came after the Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced that its head, Wang Wentao, and Dombrovskis, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, agreed to begin consultations regarding the EU's anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese electric vehicles.

- This is new and surprising, because in the past few weeks it has not been possible to enter into a concrete schedule of negotiations - said Habeck in Shanghai.

He adds that this is the first step and that many more will be needed.

- We are far from the end, but at least it is the first step that was not possible before - emphasizes Habeck.

He previously emphasized that the EU's door is open for talks on EU tariffs on Chinese exports.

- What I suggested to my Chinese partners today is that the door is open for talks, and I hope that message was heard - Habeck emphasized in his first statement in Shanghai, after meetings with Chinese officials in Beijing.

Habeck's visit is the first visit by a high-ranking European official since Brussels proposed significant tariffs on Chinese EV imports in the fight against what the EU considers excessive subsidies.

Habeck stated that there is time for dialogue between the EU and China on tariff issues before the tariffs come into full effect in November, and that he believes in open markets, but that markets require equal conditions.