August 21, 2024: China has formally called on the World Trade Organization to intervene in an EV subsidies row with the European Commission.

The Commission announced last October that it had imposed provisional import tariffs on Chinese battery electric vehicles that the EU said benefit from unfair state subsidization.

In a statement issued on August 14, the WTO confirmed that China has filed an official request for the organization’s Dispute Settlement Body to review the EU’s actions — in a bid to trigger direct China-EU talks to resolve the tariffs tussle.

China’s request for WTO intervention includes an accusation that the Commission based its findings on “incorrect interpretations” of the laws and regulations of China.

“The provisional measures imposed by the EU on Chinese battery electric vehicles will obstruct the development of an industry that benefits global stakeholders and consumers,” China said.

The Commission claimed previously to have evidence that prices of Chinese imports are subsidized and significantly lower compared to the prices of Europe’s EV industry — which could quickly face unsustainable losses if the situation goes unchecked.

There had also been a “recent surge in low-priced and subsidized imports of electric vehicles from China into the EU”, according to the Commission.