The China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) stated that it firmly opposes a revised European Union draft on punitive tariffs for electric vehicles (EVs) manufactured in the Asian giant, as reported by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV on Wednesday.
The decision on the tariffs carries “enormous risks and uncertainty” for China’s operations and investments in the EU, the association said.
It is worth noting that on Tuesday, the European Commission published the draft conclusions of its high-profile investigation into the alleged subsidies on imports of EVs manufactured in the Asian country, which included some revisions to the proposed punitive tariffs.
The Commission, which sets the EU’s trade policy, stated that it still believes Chinese electric vehicle production has benefited from extensive subsidies and proposed tariffs of up to 36.3% for automotive companies.
In July, it set an initial planned maximum tariff of 37.6%.
The high tariffs have “damaged the confidence of Chinese companies operating and investing in Europe,” CAAM told CCTV.
It will have a “severe adverse impact on the momentum of the EU automotive industry’s development, the increase of local employment opportunities in the EU, and the achievement of green and sustainable development,” CAAM stated.
Meanwhile, the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products (CCCME) said that the European Union’s preliminary findings of an anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese electric vehicles lack objectivity and fairness.
The CCCME urged the European Commission to proceed with the general interests of China-EU cooperation in mind and to work with the Asian country to reach a balanced solution.
The chamber will continue to respond on behalf of the Chinese EV industry and defend the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese eMobility companies through various means, it added in a statement.
