According to Zhitong Finance APP, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce, when answering questions on the China-EU consensus reached in consultations concerning hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles, stated that China and the EU have maintained continuous dialogue under the trade and investment consultation mechanism and reached a number of consensus outcomes, which is conducive to maintaining a stable and balanced key trade partnership between China and the EU.
Both sides, in accordance with the principles of mutual respect and equal consultation, conducted intensive consultations on hybrid vehicle and electric vehicle trade, balancing economic and trade differences and each other's concerns.
Regarding electric vehicles, China and the EU achieved a "soft landing" in the countervailing case in January this year, and the European side issued general guidance documents on price undertakings. In this connection, the European side will continue to advance the procedures related to corporate price undertakings in the electric vehicle case, as well as other review procedures.
The full text is as follows: The spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce answers questions on the China-EU consensus in consultations over hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles.
Question: Recently, China and the EU conducted in-depth discussions under the trade and investment consultation mechanism on hybrid vehicle and electric vehicle trade, avoiding an escalation of the situation. Some foreign media have speculated about details such as the quantity in the hybrid vehicle trade arrangement. What is China's comment?
Answer: China and the EU have maintained continuous dialogue under the trade and investment consultation mechanism and reached a number of consensus outcomes, which is conducive to maintaining a stable and balanced key trade partnership between China and the EU. Both sides, in accordance with the principles of mutual respect and equal consultation, 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. Both sides reached an upward arrangement on the basis of 2025, ensuring Chinese companies' export space and stable growth, and accommodating the reasonable concerns of both sides' industries based on reality. Second, non-discrimination. No measure will specifically target Chinese products, still less will it treat Chinese companies discriminatorily. 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 arrangement should conform to WTO rules. China reserves all rights, including resorting to dispute settlement and requesting trade compensation under the WTO framework. These three basic principles run through the entire process 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 countervailing case in January this year, and the European side issued general guidance documents on price undertakings. In this connection, the European 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 strongly safeguards the practical interests of Chinese companies, avoids the 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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