EU Member States Approve CV Duties on Chinese EVs
EU member states on Oct. 3 voted to approve new countervailing duties on Chinese electric vehicles (see 2408200020) despite lobbying from Beijing and opposition from some member states, including Germany (see 2410030028). The new duties, "including the definitive findings" of the EU's CVD probe, must be published in the Official Journal of the EU by Oct. 30, the European Commission said.
Although there wasn't enough EU member state opposition to vote down the duties, the commission said the EU and China are still working to "explore an alternative solution" to the tariffs. That solution would have to be compatible with the World Trade Organization, the commission said, as well as "monitorable and enforceable."
Ten member states voted in favor of the duties, while Germany and four others voted against and 12 abstained, Bloomberg reported. A qualified majority of 15 EU members, representing 65% of the EU population, was needed to block the measures.
China's Ministry of Commerce said it opposed the duties and called them "protectionist practices" that violate WTO rules, according to an unofficial translation. The ministry said since the end of June, it has held over 10 technical consultations and two vice-ministerial consultations with the EU on the duties. Both parities have "clearly expressed their political will to resolve differences through consultations," the ministry said. China noted the EU's "open and cooperative attitude" towards the consultation process.