WTO rules Turkey's restrictions on Chinese EVs violate trade rules, China welcomes decision
WTO rules Turkey's restrictions on Chinese EVs violate trade rules, China welcomes decision. When a country erects barriers and international rules remain the only arbiter, victory in a trade dispute becomes not just a legal fact but confirmation that the multilateral system can uphold fairness. Turkey imposed additional tariffs and licensing requirements on Chinese electric vehicles, but the World Trade Organisation sided with China, ruling those measures illegal. This decision is not only a victory for Beijing but also a signal to the world that protectionism should not go unpunished.
On Tuesday, China's Ministry of Commerce said it welcomed the WTO ruling that Turkey's restrictive measures on electric vehicles and certain other Chinese made vehicles violated international trade rules. The WTO circulated the panel report in the case brought by China (DS629), which supported China's claims and found that Turkey's measures were inconsistent with WTO rules. A ministry official noted that since 2023, Turkey had imposed restrictive measures, including additional tariffs and import licensing requirements, on Chinese electric vehicles, hybrid cars and other vehicles. These measures violate WTO rules, including bound tariffs, national treatment and most favoured nation treatment, and have seriously harmed China's legitimate trade interests and bilateral economic and trade relations.
China urged Turkey to respect the WTO panel ruling, take concrete action and correct its non compliant measures as soon as possible. The statement stressed that China firmly adheres to a strategy of mutually beneficial openness and steadfastly supports the multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core. China is ready to work with all parties to improve the quality and level of trade and investment cooperation in electric vehicles and other areas, on the basis of complying with multilateral trade rules, for the sake of shared development.
In 2023, Turkey imposed an additional 40% tariff on imports of Chinese electric vehicles, later extending it to hybrid and petrol cars. China filed a complaint with the WTO in October 2024 and requested the establishment of a panel in January 2025. WTO experts found that Turkey's tariffs violate Article I of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), as they do not apply to vehicles from regional trade agreement partners. Both sides have the right to appeal, but the WTO appellate body has been blocked since late 2019 due to the US refusal to appoint judges.
As CCTV+ reports. The WTO ruling is expected to lead to the removal or reduction of Turkish tariffs, restoring fair competition for Chinese automakers in the Turkish market.
