China to review complaint over ‘biased practices’ from EU, adding heat to already sizzling dispute

A trade group of Chinese manufacturers has filed a complaint against EU practices, a move likely to frazzle already fraught relations further

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China’s electric vehicle manufacturers have filed a formal complaint against the EU for what they call “biased practices” in trade that have affected their business. Photo: Bloomberg

Published: 6:42pm, 27 Jun 2024Updated: 9:22am, 28 Jun 2024

China’s Ministry of Commerce said it is reviewing complaints from representatives of the country’s machinery industries against what they have termed “biased practices” from the European Union – a new wrinkle in already prickly relations which could undermine ongoing negotiations over the electric vehicle (EV) trade.

Ministry spokesman He Yadong said on Thursday the department has already received a formal petition from the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products (CCCME), a semi-official trade body that defends the interests of Chinese carmakers and solar panel firms.

The trade group has asked the government to investigate what it claims are de facto trade barriers set up under the guise of anti-subsidy probes. Beijing’s assessment, which could lead to further countermeasures, is under way and details will be announced in time, the spokesman said.

Thursday’s announcement marks the latest twist in a pitched battle over trade, the first salvo of which was launched when the EU revealed it planned to levy tariffs against imports of some electric vehicles from China. The East Asian powerhouse responded in kind, launching an anti-dumping investigation into European pork.

“We are paying close attention to the anti-subsidy regulation of the EU, which has had huge impact on Chinese companies that export and invest in the bloc,” He said.