Robots weld bodyshells of cars at a workshop of Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Li Auto Inc. in Changzhou, east China's Jiangsu Province, Jan. 10, 2024. (Xinhua/Ji Chunpeng)

The China Chamber of Commerce to the EU (CCCEU) has stressed the importance of establishing clear and impartial procedures for the EU to handle price undertaking proposals from electric vehicle (EV) companies, and called for fair treatment to Chinese companies in future assessments. 

The comment was made in response to a media question about the European Commission's (EC) acceptance of Volkswagen (Anhui)'s price undertaking offer for battery electric vehicle exports to the EU, which allows the relevant model to be exempt from countervailing duties provided that minimum import price conditions are met, according to a post on the CCCEU's WeChat account on Wednesday.

The EC has approved a request by Volkswagen's Cupra brand to exempt its China-made Tavascan SUV coupe from import tariffs, in exchange for a minimum price and quota arrangement, following months of intensive discussions, Reuters reported on Tuesday. 

On matters related to price undertakings, the CCCEU Automotive Working Group has recently held a technical dialogue with the EU side on the guidance document for EV price undertaking offers, the chamber said, adding that some Chinese EV manufacturers are currently assessing and considering whether to submit their own price undertaking proposals to the EC based on their respective business situations.

In this context, the chamber stressed the importance of establishing clear and impartial procedures in handling price undertaking proposals. The CCCEU calls on the EU to adhere to the principles of fairness, transparency and non-discrimination in the assessment and implementation of the price undertaking, and to ensure that Chinese companies are treated equally.

Moving forward, given that Chinese companies' exports to the EU are often complex and involve multiple models and business structures, the chamber also advises the European side to maintain close and constructive communication with businesses to ensure that the relevant arrangements are feasible and predictable.

The CCCEU will continue to play a bridging role, supporting constructive dialogue between Chinese companies in the EU and their European counterparts, and promoting cooperation in the EV sector in a stable and sustainable direction, it said.

China and the EU have agreed that it is necessary to provide general guidance on price undertakings for Chinese exporters of battery electric vehicles for passengers to the EU, China's commerce ministry announced on January 12. 

Global Times