EU investigates Chinese electric cars

European Union (EU) Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said an investigation has been launched into subsidies for electric cars imported from China to EU countries.

Von der Leyen stated that European industrial and technological companies love competition and emphasized the importance of this competition developing fairly.

Von der Leyen explained that European companies are often excluded from some markets or face market-distorting actions, especially when their competitors, who benefit from large public subsidies, undercut prices there.

Stating that China’s unfair trade practices have negatively affected the European solar energy industry in the past, von der Leyen stated that many companies in Europe have lost their business to highly subsidized Chinese competitors.

Von der Leyen stated that electric vehicles are a sector that has great potential for Europe and is very important for the clean economy.

‘CHINA IS DISTURBING THE FUNCTIONING OF OUR MARKET’

“Global markets are now flooded with cheaper Chinese electric cars. Chinese electric car prices are kept artificially low thanks to huge government subsidies. “This situation disrupts the functioning of our market,” said von der Leyen, stressing that they do not accept this situation.

“Today, the Commission launched an anti-subsidy investigation into China’s electric vehicles,” Von der Leyen said. saying.

Reiterating that Europe is open to competition, von der Leyen stated that here they will defend themselves against unfair practices.

EU electric car manufacturers have long demanded an investigation against vehicles imported from China. As a result of this investigation, additional customs duties could be imposed on electric cars that receive subsidies from China and are shipped to EU countries.

In recent years, the share of Chinese manufacturers in electric cars sold in EU countries has increased rapidly. (AA)