China’s National Development and Reform Commission Chairman Zheng Shan Jie has criticized the European Union’s plan to impose additional tariffs on Chinese electric vehicle imports, describing it as detrimental to both sides’ interests and contradictory to market principles.

During a high-level meeting with Germany on climate change and the green transition, Zheng stated that the growth of China’s new energy industry is driven by market competition and production efficiency rather than subsidies or unfair practices.

Zheng emphasized that China boasts a comprehensive electric vehicle industry chain and a skilled workforce, which attracts global companies to establish factories within the country. He also highlighted that the global production capacity for new energy vehicles remains below market demand and that China plays a crucial role in contributing to the global green transition through its exports of these vehicles. Zheng called on Germany, as a key EU member, to take a leading position and reconsider the tariff plan in the interest of maintaining international cooperation and combating climate change.