China and the European Union confirmed their intention to resolve through dialogue the dispute over the EU's anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese electric vehicles.
Both sides decided to stick to price commitments as a solution to the problem, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said in a statement following the meeting. on Friday, a videoconference meeting between Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and European Commission Executive Vice-President and Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis.
Wang Wentao said there are urgent calls and high hopes for proper consideration of this case.
He clarified that since September 20 this year, intensive negotiations have been ongoing between the two parties regarding price commitments, and positive progress has been made in some aspects, but on issues of greatest interest to the business community China and Europe, there are still significant differences.
Wang Wentao noted that China will unswervingly protect the legitimate rights and interests of its enterprises. The Minister also expressed hope that both sides will continue to advance negotiations taking into account the results of the previous stage of consultations and achieve significant progress as soon as possible.
In the next stage of negotiations on price commitments, consultations should be carried out on the basis of mutual consideration of fundamental concerns and in accordance with the principles of practical results and balance, Wang Wentao said, adding that both the effectiveness of the agreement and the fundamental interests of enterprises must be taken into account.
He also explained that in order to implement and control price commitments based on mutual trust, a mechanism for bilateral contacts will be established.
The European side put forward specific proposals for a price commitment plan and invited technical groups of both sides to hold video consultations on this issue. The Chinese side agreed to immediately proceed to the next stage of negotiations and welcomed the early arrival of the EU technical team in China.
The parties also exchanged views on the investigations into the application of trade protection measures initiated by China in relation to certain types of products from EU countries , such as brandy, pork and dairy products.
The Chinese side emphasized that these investigations were launched at the request of national industries in full compliance with the rules of the World Trade Organization, as well as Chinese laws and regulations.
As noted in the message of the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China, China will continue to conduct investigations in accordance with the law and regulations, and will fully guarantee the legitimate rights and interests of all parties involved.
