BRUSSELS – One week before the legal deadline for publishing the additional definitive duties on Chinese cars in the EU Journal, contacts continue “political and technical level” between Brussels and Beijing to “explore an alternative solution that is compatible with the World Trade Organization, adequate to address the injurious subsidies established by the Commission’s investigation, monitorable and enforceable”. This was reported by a spokesperson for the EU Commission, recalling that from a legal point of view for the EU executive it is possible to publish the decision on duties in the EU Official Journal – with entry into force on the following day – even before 30 October, the deadline.
In a vote on October 4, EU governments failed to reach a qualified majority for or against the EU Commission’s proposal to impose definitive additional duties of up to 36.3% on Chinese electric cars, leaving the EU executive with the possibility of decide independently whether to continue the process by publishing the decision in the Journal by the deadline of 30 October. Overall, adding to the duties per 10% already existing, the tariffs would therefore reach 45%.
