Question: Recently, China and the EU held in-depth discussions on hybrid vehicle and electric vehicle trade under the trade and investment consultation mechanism, averting 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 on this?
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. Acting 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, respecting facts. According to Eurostat data, the EU imported 107,000 hybrid vehicles from China in 2024 and 302,000 in 2025. Based on the 2025 level, the two sides reached an upward arrangement to ensure Chinese companies' export space and stable growth, accommodating the reasonable concerns of both sides' industries based on reality. Second, non-discrimination. No measure will specifically target Chinese products, still less treat Chinese companies in a discriminatory manner. The quota obtained by China will not be lower than that for any other source of EU imports. Third, compliance. Both sides confirmed that the trade arrangements should conform to WTO rules. China retains all rights, including resorting to dispute settlement and requesting trade compensation under the WTO framework. These three basic principles have been applied throughout and are a solid foundation for safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies.
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 connection, the EU side will continue to advance 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 tangible interests of Chinese companies, avoids an escalation of China-EU trade friction, and also provides a stable, predictable and sustainable trade and investment environment for both sides, which helps the stable, balanced and healthy development of bilateral economic and trade relations.
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