Commerce Ministry hears views on auto tariff hikes
The Ministry of Commerce on Friday convened a meeting to hear opinions and suggestions from industry and academic experts on increasing tariffs on the import of fuel-powered cars with large-displacement engines. According to Xinhua News Agency, representatives from relevant industry organisations, research institutions and automotive companies attended the talks. The European Commission said earlier it planned to slap five-year import duties of up to 36 percent on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), unless Beijing can offer Brussels alternative solutions to end their row over state subsidies. The rates were revised slightly under a draft plan this week Brussels already hit EVs imported from China with hefty provisional tariffs last month -- on top of current duties of 10 percent -- after an anti-subsidy probe found they were unfairly undermining European rivals. The tariffs are subject to the approval of the European Union member states. A final decision must be made by early November. China has filed an appeal with the World Trade Organisation over the EV tariffs, calling them unfair. Beijing has launched investigations into European brandy, pork and dairy products amid heightened trade tensions. (Agencies)