The China Chamber of Commerce to the European Union (CCCEU) has raised concerns regarding the European Union's provisional duties on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs).
On Thursday, the European Commission (EC) announced that it will impose provisional countervailing duties on imports of Chinese EVs starting Friday. The duties, ranging from 17.4 percent to 37.6 percent, target imports of EVs produced in China.
Three Chinese companies -- BYD, Geely and SAIC -- will face additional duties of 17.4 percent, 19.9 percent and 37.6 percent, respectively, on top of the European Union's (EU) standard 10-percent duty on car imports.
Tesla's EV operator in China may receive an individually calculated duty rate at the definitive stage, as it has filed a substantiated request, the statement added.
The CCCEU has expressed concerns about the protectionist measures after the EU's announcement, stating that these measures have also triggered a negative response from the continent's vehicle manufacturing sector.
"German Association of the Automotive Industry issued a statement on July 3, strongly opposing the EU's imposition of additional tariffs on Chinese EVs. BMW's CEO also said that the European auto industry needs no trade protection but the global market," said Fang Dongkui, secretary general of the CCCEU.
As confirmed by EU diplomats, EU member states will hold an advisory vote in the coming weeks, the first time the EC has formally sought their opinions on the case. Previously, the EC initiated the investigation on Chinese EVs without receiving any industry complaints, which is unprecedented.
"Chinese stakeholders have raised several questions about the EU investigation. First, the data used in the EU investigation exceeded the inquiry scope. Second, the time given by the EU to provide evidence is so limited that the Chinese side had to rush the preparations. Third, the inspections may have been misleading," said Fang.
The EU's decision has also drawn criticism from member states and their vehicle industry.
The provisional duties, slightly adjusted from earlier pre-disclosed rates, will apply for a maximum of four months. A final decision on definitive duties will be voted on by EU member states. If adopted, the duties would be in place for five years.
Chinese business group question EU's provisional duties on Chinese EVs
