The Chinese Ministry of Commerce has issued a strong warning to the United Kingdom, stating that China will resolutely counter any restrictive measures the UK imposes on Chinese electric vehicles.
According to a statement published on the Ministry of Commerce website on October 19, a spokesperson for the Ministry responded to questions regarding recent media reports that UK Trade Minister Salloway said the UK and the European Union must act in lockstep to jointly address China's dominance in the automotive industry, and that discussions are still ongoing with European partners about imposing tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.
China's response
Asked for comment, the spokesperson said China has taken note of the relevant reports and emphasized that China-UK cooperation in the automotive industry is based on complementary advantages, equality, and mutual benefit.
China and the UK are important economic and trade partners to each other, the spokesperson noted, urging the UK to abide by World Trade Organization rules, think twice before acting, and avoid blindly following Europe's lead.
China will closely monitor the UK's movements, the spokesperson said, adding that if the UK insists on taking restrictive measures against Chinese electric vehicles, China will resolutely counter them to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese industries.
Background
The statement comes amid growing trade tensions over Chinese electric vehicles, as several Western economies debate imposing tariffs on Chinese EV imports. China has consistently opposed such measures, arguing they violate WTO rules and harm global trade cooperation.
The Ministry of Commerce's remarks signal that China is prepared to take firm action should the UK proceed with restrictions, echoing similar warnings issued to the European Union in recent months.
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