EU, China agree to more talks on potential alternatives to EV tariffs

European Union and China have agreed to hold furr technical negotiations soon on possible alternatives to tariffs on China-built electric vehicles, European Commission and China's commerce ministry said on Friday.

EU is set to impose ditional tariffs of up to 35.3 per cent next week on electric vehicles built in China, after its anti-subsidy investigation, but has said talks can continue after n.

two sides are looking at possible minimum price commitments from Chinese producers or investments in Europe as an alternative to tariffs.

" principals agreed that furr technical negotiations would take place shortly", Commission said after a video call between EU tre chief Valdis Dombrovskis and Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao.

European Commission, which oversees tre policy for 27-nation European Union, has alrey held eight rounds of technical negotiations with Chinese counterparts and said re were "significant remaining gaps".

A statement from China's commerce ministry said Beijing "welcomed EU team to come to China as soon as possible" and that both sides h clarified that price commitments would continue to be solution to dispute.

Dombrovskis and Wang affirmed ir commitment to finding a mutually agreeable solution, which would need to ensure a level playing field in EU market and be compatible with World Tre Organization rules, Commission said.

Wang said a bilateral communication mechanism for implementing and regulating price commitments should be established during next phase of talks, his ministry said.

China urged EU two weeks ago not to conduct separate negotiations with companies, warning this would "shake foundations" of negotiations.

Commission said Dombrovskis h emphasised that EU executive's negotiations with China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products (CCCME) do not exclude discussions with individual exporters.

Dombrovskis also raised concerns about China's investigations into EU brandy, pork, and dairy, saying EU found m "unsubstantiated".

China said it would continue to conduct its investigations and that it complied with Chinese and World Tre Organization rules.