The Chinese Foreign Ministry said – on Thursday – that Beijing urged the European Commission to stop its investigation into customs duties on Chinese electric cars, describing the investigation as “illogical” and not in line with international rules.
The Commission, which oversees trade rules in the 27-nation European Union, began an investigation last October into whether the Chinese electric car industry receives government support that requires the imposition of additional customs duties.
The European Commission will postpone the decision on customs duties until after the European Parliament elections scheduled for June 9.
A Bloomberg report indicated that the increase in Chinese exports represents a major threat to the already weak electric car industry in the European Union countries.
The European automotive industry employs more than 13 million people in total, and represents 7% of the European Union economy.
The investigation includes cars designed to transport 9 or fewer people, but excludes electric bicycles. The investigation is expected to be completed within 12 months, the agency reported last October.
By 2024, China has emerged as the largest exporter of electric vehicles, with 9.5 million vehicles delivered last year alone.
In 2023, the Chinese “BYD” will become the owner of the highest sales of electric cars around the world, with 3 million cars, according to its official data, surpassing Tesla, which sold 1.8 million cars during the same period.
A previous Bloomberg report also indicates that China now controls the majority of the battery supply chain for electric cars, outperforming traditional auto giants.
