BEIJING – Discussions in Brussels regarding the European Union’s (EU) tariffs on electric vehicles imported from China concluded with the acknowledgement that “major divergences” remain, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced on Saturday.
“Significant differences persist between the two parties,” the ministry said in a statement.
The negotiators “made important progress in certain areas,” it added, but they “did not reach a solution acceptable to both sides.”
Beijing has invited EU negotiators to the next round of talks, which is set to take place in China.
“We hope that the EU will meet China halfway, make arrangements to visit China as soon as possible, and accelerate consultations by adopting a constructive attitude to reach an appropriate solution as quickly as possible,” the statement emphasised.
EU member states confirmed in a vote on Friday the imposition of tariffs on electric vehicles imported from China, despite opposition from Germany.
The European Commission now has the green light to add a surcharge of up to 35% on Chinese-made battery electric vehicles, in addition to the existing 10% tariff. These anti-dumping duties are set to come into effect at the end of October.
In response, Beijing has denounced these as “unjust and unreasonable protectionist practices” and has retaliated by launching anti-dumping investigations, primarily targeting dairy products imported from Europe.
Representatives from Beijing and the 27 EU countries have held eight rounds of negotiations in Brussels since September 20.
