The European Commission stated in the announcement that as part of the anti-subsidy investigation, the European Commission's preliminary conclusion is that China's electric vehicle value chain "benefits from unfair subsidies" and poses a "threat of economic damage" to EU electric vehicle manufacturers. Against this background, the European Commission pre-disclosed the temporary anti-subsidy tax rate to be levied on Chinese electric vehicles.

The announcement stated that if negotiations with China fail, the EU will impose temporary anti-subsidy duties on Chinese electric vehicles from July 4 this year.

Among the three Chinese automakers subject to the EU sampling survey, BYD will be subject to a 17.4% anti-subsidy tax, Geely Auto will be subject to a 20% anti-subsidy tax, and SAIC Group will be subject to a 38.1% anti-subsidy tax.

Other Chinese automakers that did not accept the sampling survey but cooperated with the EU investigation will be subject to a 21% anti-subsidy tax, and other Chinese automakers that did not cooperate with the EU investigation will be subject to a 38.1% anti-subsidy tax.

In response to the EU's move, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce said that the EU has disregarded facts and WTO rules, ignored China's repeated strong opposition, and ignored the calls and dissuasions of many EU member governments and industries, and insisted on its own way. China is highly concerned and strongly dissatisfied with this, and the Chinese industry is deeply disappointed and firmly opposes this.

It believes that the findings disclosed in the EU ruling lack factual and legal basis. This move by the EU not only damages the legitimate rights and interests of China's electric vehicle industry, but will also disrupt and distort the global automotive industry chain supply chain, including the EU. The European Commission holds high the banner of green development in one hand and wields the stick of "protectionism" in the other, politicizing and weaponizing economic and trade issues. This is inconsistent with the consensus spirit of the leaders of China and the EU on strengthening cooperation, will affect the atmosphere of bilateral economic and trade cooperation between China and the EU, is not conducive to the interests of EU consumers themselves, and will also undermine the EU's own green transformation and the overall situation of global cooperation in addressing climate change.

China urges the EU to immediately correct its wrong practices, earnestly implement the important consensus reached at the recent trilateral meeting between the leaders of China, France and the EU, and properly handle economic and trade frictions through dialogue and consultation. China will closely follow the EU's subsequent progress and will resolutely take all necessary measures to firmly defend the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies.