China has filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) about the European Union's tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles. China's Ministry of Commerce said on Friday, August 9, that China had resorted to the WTO's dispute settlement mechanism to “protect the development rights and interests of the electric vehicle industry and cooperate in global environmental transformation” .
It will be recalled that the EU raised import duties on Chinese electric cars to 37.6% from July this year, saying that their manufacturers receive significant subsidies from the Chinese government. Brussels considers the practice to be a "threat of economic harm" for European car manufacturers. China says its support for electric cars is in line with WTO rules.
Both countries have until early November to try to resolve their differences, after which the tariffs become official. Earlier, in response to the EU's actions, China launched an investigation into exports of French cognac and European pork, which some analysts say could turn into a trade war with the European Union.