EU and China agree on trade arrangements for hybrid and electric vehicles
China and the European Union have reached agreements on trade in hybrid and electric vehicles, helping reduce the risk of further escalation in bilateral trade frictions, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of Commerce said Monday.
The remarks came after foreign media reports speculated about details of the arrangements reached following the latest meeting of the China-EU trade and investment consultation mechanism.
According to the spokesperson, the two sides held intensive talks based on mutual respect and equal consultation, seeking to address economic and trade differences while taking each other's concerns into account.
On hybrid vehicles, China and the EU confirmed three basic principles: respect for facts, non-discrimination and compliance with World Trade Organization rules.
Eurostat data cited by the ministry showed that the EU imported 107,000 hybrid vehicles from China in 2024 and 302,000 in 2025. The new arrangement allows room for further increases, enabling Chinese companies to maintain exports and pursue steady growth.
The spokesperson said no measures should specifically target Chinese products, while any quota allocated to China should be no lower than that granted to other sources of imports. China also retains all of its rights under the WTO framework, including the right to use dispute settlement mechanisms.
For electric vehicles, the two sides will continue work following progress in the EU's anti-subsidy case, including procedures related to price undertakings and other review mechanisms.
According to CCTV+, the agreements are aimed at easing trade tensions and creating a more stable and predictable environment for China-EU trade and investment.
