Question: Recently, China and the EU held in-depth discussions on hybrid vehicle and electric vehicle trade under the trade and investment consultation mechanism, avoiding an escalation of the situation. Some foreign media have speculated about details such as the volume of hybrid vehicle trade arrangements. What is China's comment?
Answer: China and the EU have maintained continuous dialogue under the trade and investment consultation mechanism and reached consensus on multiple outcomes, which is conducive to maintaining a stable and balanced key trade partnership between China and the EU.
In accordance with the principles of mutual respect and equal consultation, the two sides conducted intensive consultations on hybrid vehicle and electric vehicle trade, balancing economic and trade differences and each other's concerns.
Regarding hybrid vehicles, both sides emphasized and confirmed three basic principles.
First, respect for facts. According to Eurostat data, the EU imported 107,000 hybrid vehicles from China in 2024 and 302,000 in 2025. The two sides reached an upward arrangement based on 2025 levels, ensuring export space and stable growth for Chinese enterprises and accommodating the reasonable concerns of both sides' industries based on reality.
Second, non-discrimination. No measures will specifically target Chinese products, and Chinese enterprises will not be treated in a discriminatory manner. The quota obtained by China will not be lower than that of any other source of imports for the EU.
Third, compliance. Both sides confirmed that the trade arrangements should comply with WTO rules. China reserves all rights, including resorting to dispute settlement and requesting trade compensation under the WTO framework.
These three basic principles run throughout and serve as a solid foundation for safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises.
Regarding electric vehicles, China and the EU achieved a "soft landing" in the anti-subsidy case in January this year, and the EU side issued general guidance documents on price commitments. In this regard, the EU side will continue to advance the procedures related to enterprise price commitments in the electric vehicle case, as well as other review procedures.
On the basis of reciprocity and mutual benefit, the above consensus has effectively safeguarded the practical interests of Chinese enterprises, avoided the escalation of China-EU trade frictions, and provided both sides with a stable, predictable and sustainable trade and investment environment, which is conducive to the stable, balanced and healthy development of bilateral economic and trade relations.
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