On October 12, according to the Ministry of Commerce website, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce answered reporters' questions regarding the China-EU consensus on hybrid vehicle and electric vehicle consultations.
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 the quantity and other related details of the hybrid vehicle trade arrangements. What is China's comment on this?
Answer: China and the EU have maintained continuous dialogue under the trade and investment consultation mechanism and reached multiple consensus outcomes, which are conducive to maintaining a stable and balanced key trade partnership between China and the EU. Based on 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 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 Chinese enterprises' export space and stable growth, and accommodating both sides' reasonable concerns based on reality. Second, non-discrimination. No measures will specifically target Chinese products, and discriminatory treatment of Chinese enterprises is even less acceptable. The quota obtained by China will not be lower than that of any other source of imports for the EU side. Third, compliance. Both sides confirmed that the trade arrangements should comply with WTO rules. China reserves all rights to resort to dispute settlement and request trade compensation under the WTO framework. These three basic principles run throughout and are 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 undertakings. In this regard, the EU side will continue to advance the procedures related to corporate price undertakings in the electric vehicle case, as well as other review procedures. On the basis of reciprocity and mutual benefit, the above consensus effectively safeguards the practical interests of Chinese enterprises, avoids an escalation of China-EU trade frictions, and also provides 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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