According to information from the Ministry of Commerce, on October 12, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce answered reporters' questions regarding the consensus reached in China-EU consultations on hybrid and electric vehicles.
Question: Recently, under the trade and investment consultation mechanism, China and the EU held in-depth discussions on hybrid and electric vehicle trade, preventing an escalation of the situation. Some foreign media have speculated about details such as the quantity arrangements for hybrid vehicle trade. What is China's comment on this?
Answer: China and the EU have maintained 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. Following the principles of mutual respect and equal consultation, the two sides conducted intensive consultations on hybrid and electric vehicle trade, balancing economic and trade differences and each other's concerns.
Regarding hybrid vehicles, both sides emphasized and confirmed three fundamental 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. Both 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 industries based on reality. Second, non-discrimination. No measures will specifically target Chinese products, nor will Chinese enterprises 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 trade arrangements should conform to WTO rules. China reserves all rights to resort to dispute settlement and request trade compensation under the WTO framework. These three fundamental 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 published a general guidance document on price undertakings. Accordingly, the EU side will continue to advance the procedures related to enterprise price undertakings 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, prevented the escalation of China-EU trade frictions, and provided a stable, predictable, and sustainable trade and investment environment for both sides, contributing to the stable, balanced, and healthy development of bilateral economic and trade relations.
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