China has filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization against the EU over tariffs on electric cars

China has filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) over the European Union’s tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles. China’s Ministry of Commerce said on Friday, August 9, that China used the WTO’s dispute settlement mechanism to “protect the development rights and interests of the electric vehicle industry and cooperate in global environmental transformation.”

It will be remembered that the EU raised import taxes on Chinese electric cars to 37.6% from July this year, saying that their manufacturers receive a large subsidy from the Chinese government. Brussels considers the practice a “threat of economic harm” to European car manufacturers. China says its support for electric cars is in line with WTO rules.

The two sides have until early November to try to resolve their differences, after which the charges will be official. Earlier, in response to the EU’s actions, China launched an investigation into French cognac and European pork exports, which some analysts say could turn into a trade war with the European Union.