China said it has taken the matter to the World Trade Organization (WTO ) the issue of the trade dispute with the EU after Brussels' decision to impose customs duties on electric cars imported from the Asian country, which Beijing described as "protectionist", reported Agence France-Presse, quoted by BTA.
The European Commission yesterday adopted the rules for imposing these additional duties on these vehicles, which it accuses of creating unfair competition. Despite Germany's position, Brussels decided to add to the already existing 10% tax a surcharge of up to 35% on Chinese electric cars.
The decision, which applies for five years, was published on Tuesday evening in the EU's Official Journal.
"China does not approve or accept this decision. It took action under the dispute settlement mechanism of the World Trade Organization (WTO),'' a spokesman for China's Ministry of Commerce said today.
"China will continue to take all necessary measures to firmly protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies," he stressed, condemning what he described as a "protectionist approach" of the EU.