(ECNS)-- As the automotive industries of China and Europe are now at a critical crossroads, open cooperation is the best option, said Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao at China-EU Electric Vehicle (EV) Industrial Chain Enterprises Roundtable in Brussels on Wednesday.
In response to the European Union (EU) high tariffs on Chinese EVs, Wang pointed out that China will “certainly persevere until the final moments of the consultations”.
Wang further noted that EU’s move will not only hinder cooperation and dampen Chinese companies' confidence in investing in Europe, but also severely affect global cooperation in addressing climate change and seriously undermine the multilateral trade order based on WTO rules.
Wang emphasized that over the past 40 years, the most notable feature of the automotive industries between China and Europe has been cooperation, and the most fundamental basis a fair environment.
EU companies have thrived in China, driving the development of China's automotive industry chain, while China has provided an open market and a fair competitive environment for EU companies, Wang said.
The China-EU Electric Vehicle Industrial Chain Enterprises Roundtable was chaired by Wang in Brussels on Wednesday. Nearly 30 representatives from Chinese and European enterprises in electric vehicle, power battery, and component, as well as related industry associations, attended the meeting.