Deutsche Automobilclub: In den Antisubventionsgesprächen zwischen China und Europa über Elektromobile wurden technische Fortschritte erzielt.
Once the negotiations between the two sides are successfully concluded and an agreement is reached, there is a prospect that this will open a new phase in the cooperation between the Chinese and European automotive industries, especially in terms of technological cooperation and market integration.
On June 25, Zhang Lin, the editor - in - chief and general manager of the German Automobile Industry Association (China), reported to the magazine "Caixin" during the "Global Cooperation and Development of Electric Mobility (Shanghai) 2025" forum that according to the discussions with the relevant Chinese and EU authorities, the technical part of the negotiations between China and the EU on anti - dumping duties for Chinese - made electric vehicles has already been largely completed.
"In view of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the EU in 2025, we hope that both sides can find a solution for the trade balance," said Zhang Lin.
In April this year, He Yadong, the spokesman of the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, announced that China and the EU had agreed to resume the negotiations on price undertakings in connection with the anti - dumping procedure for electric vehicles as soon as possible. On June 19, Wang Wentao, the Minister of Commerce, had a video call with Valdis Dombrovskis, the Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security of the European Commission. Both sides conducted in - depth and professional consultations on trade cases such as the anti - dumping procedure for electric vehicles, export controls, and market access. Both sides agreed to make joint efforts and meet each other halfway to prepare economically and trade - technically for the important events between China and the EU this year and to develop the economic and trade relationship between China and the EU in a healthy, stable, and sustainable manner.
Today, the competition and cooperation between China and the EU in the field of electric mobility are in a new phase. China not only has the world's largest automotive market but is also the largest producer of motor vehicles. It has a strong ability to sell vehicles in the domestic market and also export them abroad. In addition, China is also the origin of the technology for intelligent electric vehicles. There has long been a good cooperation basis between the two sides in the fields of automobile development and manufacturing, and there are numerous joint - ventures whose jointly produced vehicles are already sold worldwide.
In recent years, a new model of reverse joint - ventures has emerged in the Chinese market: Chinese companies contribute electrification and intelligent technologies, while German companies provide their engineering experience and sales networks. Chinese and German automakers are overcoming the traditional cooperation model of "market access for technology" with a new paradigm of "competition and cooperation" based on the complementarity of their strengths.
"Avoid zero - sum thinking and embrace technological cooperation," emphasized Zhang Lin. Both in the EU's anti - dumping negotiations and in the cooperation between Chinese and German companies, long - term vision and local thinking are always the key to overcoming difficulties. In the era of new joint - ventures and cooperation, represented by "Development 2.0", Chinese automakers should overcome trade barriers through local cooperation when entering foreign markets and avoid bringing excessive competition into foreign markets.
Zhang Lin mentioned several times in an interview the "mental requirement" for Chinese automakers when entering foreign markets. He took the German automakers BBA (Mercedes - Benz, BMW, Audi) as an example: "The competition among German automakers is fierce, but they always support open market competition and respect their competitors. This model of 'competition and cooperation' is particularly worth learning for Chinese colleagues."
Technical negotiations almost completed
On October 4, 2023, the European Commission launched an anti - dumping investigation against electric vehicles imported from China and agreed one year later, on October 4, 2024, on the final anti - dumping measures regarding Chinese electric vehicles. Based on the then 10% tariffs, additional anti - dumping duties of up to 35.3% will be imposed on electric vehicles imported from China for at least five years.
After almost two years of negotiations and consultations, the anti - dumping negotiations are nearing their end.
Zhang Lin reported to the magazine "Caixin" that the technical part of the negotiations between China and the EU on anti - dumping duties for Chinese - made electric vehicles has already been largely completed, and the upcoming negotiations will put the political wisdom of both sides to a greater test. He emphasized that the German Automobile Industry Association always speaks out against the use of tariffs as a means to solve industrial disputes and instead advocates for win - win through open competition.
Some time earlier, both sides had already given positive signals to the public about the progress of the negotiations.
On April 8, Wang Wentao, the Minister of the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, and Valdis Dombrovskis, the Commissioner for Trade of the European Commission, agreed in a conversation to resume the negotiations on "minimum price undertakings" for electric vehicles. According to information from EU diplomats, the EU requires China not only to produce locally in Europe but also to commission European suppliers and promote technology transfer.
On April 11, Orlof Gill, the spokesman for trade affairs of the European Commission, told the magazine "Caixin" that the price undertaking as a possible alternative to the EU's anti - dumping duties for Chinese electric vehicles presupposes that it ensures fair competition and that China actually solves the problem of unfair subsidies through enforceable and verifiable obligations.
It is worth noting that such a model of price undertaking has already been applied in the context of the trade dispute between China and the EU over photovoltaic panels. Chinese photovoltaic panel products were able to avoid the imposition of punitive tariffs through price undertakings.
Cui Fan, a professor at the University of International Business and Economics, told the magazine "Caixin" that setting a minimum price for Chinese automakers would be more advantageous than imposing anti - dumping duties - the companies could keep the price difference as profit, at the same time, excessive competition would be curbed, and this measure would also be in line with the rules of the World Trade Organization.
For Chinese automakers, resolving the dispute through price undertakings would leave room for development in the European market.
Technical negotiations almost completed
On October 4, 2023, the European Commission launched an anti - dumping investigation against electric vehicles imported from China and agreed one year later, on October 4, 2024, on the final anti - dumping measures regarding Chinese electric vehicles. Based on the then 10% tariffs, additional anti - dumping duties of up to 35.3% will be imposed on electric vehicles imported from China for at least five years.
After almost two years of negotiations and consultations, the anti - dumping negotiations are nearing their end.
Zhang Lin reported to the magazine "Caixin" that the technical part of the negotiations between China and the EU on anti - dumping duties for Chinese - made electric vehicles has already been largely completed, and the upcoming negotiations will put the political wisdom of both sides to a greater test. He emphasized that the German Automobile Industry Association always speaks out against the use of tariffs as a means to solve industrial disputes and instead advocates for win - win through open competition.
Some time earlier, both sides had already given positive signals to the public about the progress of the negotiations.
On April 8, Wang Wentao, the Minister of the Chinese Ministry of Commerce, and Valdis Dombrovskis, the Commissioner for Trade of the European Commission, agreed in a conversation to resume the negotiations on "minimum price undertakings" for electric vehicles. According to information from EU diplomats, the EU requires China not only to produce locally in Europe but also to commission European suppliers and promote technology transfer.
On April 11, Orlof Gill, the spokesman for trade affairs of the European Commission, told the magazine "Caixin" that the price undertaking as a possible alternative to the EU's anti - dumping duties for Chinese electric vehicles presupposes that it ensures fair competition and that China actually solves the problem of unfair subsidies through enforceable and verifiable obligations.
It is worth noting that such a model of price undertaking has already been applied in the context of the trade dispute between China and the EU over photovoltaic panels. Chinese photovoltaic panel products were able to avoid the imposition of punitive tariffs through price undertakings.
Cui Fan, a professor at the University of International Business and Economics, told the magazine "Caixin" that setting a minimum price for Chinese automakers would be more advantageous than imposing anti - dumping duties - the companies could keep the price difference as profit, at the same time, excessive competition would be curbed, and this measure would also be in line with the rules of the World Trade Organization.
For Chinese automakers, resolving the dispute through price undertakings would leave room for development in the European market.
"Mental requirement" for Chinese automakers when entering foreign markets
According to data from the market research institution Dataforce, the share of electric vehicles produced by Chinese automakers among the electric vehicles registered in Europe in February 2025 was only 6.9%, the lowest value since February 2023, which is due to the EU's anti - dumping duties.
However, Zhang Lin also sees opportunities in the crisis: "German automakers insisted on local production and development when entering the Chinese market 40 years ago. Similarly, Chinese automakers in Europe must respect the local culture and rules when building factories there."
Regarding the competition and cooperation between Chinese automakers and companies in the entire value - chain and German companies in foreign markets, Zhang Lin said that Germany welcomes the investments and factory - building of Chinese companies in Europe because competition can promote the technological improvement of both sides. Geely, Changan, and Great Wall have already established research and development centers or European headquarters in Germany. At the same time, he also pointed out that there is a wide range of possibilities for cooperation between the two sides, including in the fields of vehicle parts and complete vehicles.
Many Chinese automakers and suppliers have already considered the possibility of forming joint - ventures or cooperation with local companies when entering the European market to better develop the local market.
BYD announced in December 2023 the establishment of an electric vehicle production facility in Hungary, Chery decided to invest in Spain, and several Chinese electric vehicle battery manufacturers, including CATL, have also built factories in the EU.
In addition to local integration, long - term vision is also an important principle for Chinese automakers when entering foreign markets.
Zhang Lin warned that some Chinese companies might underestimate the requirements for product quality and safety management in different countries and regions due to excessive pursuit of speed when entering foreign markets and might fall into the trap that a single failure could negatively affect everything - on the European market, a product failure could seriously damage a brand image for ten years. "German automakers have always emphasized long - term vision in their nearly - hundred - year history worldwide and avoided focusing too much on short - term profits in a single market and thereby losing long - term brand value."
Zhang Lin believes that the second phase of cooperation between German and Chinese automakers is the phase of experience exchange - German manufacturers learn from the rapid technology iteration in China, and Chinese companies can model themselves on the quality and safety management system of German manufacturers.
The European market has very high requirements for automotive products. Both governments and the public have a good memory for product quality and safety problems, which can also mean a very serious impact on a company's brand image. Zhang Lin called on Chinese colleagues to emphasize safety and quality in addition to speed, to establish a comprehensive product - service system for the entire product life - cycle, to overcome short - term profit - orientation, to promote long - term brand - building, and to consider the cultural and cost differences in different countries and regions to better adapt to foreign markets.
Investments in the Sino - European automotive industry continue to rise
According to data from the European Commission, China's foreign direct investment (FDI) in the EU reached the highest level in the past five years in 2024, with a cumulative investment of 18.5 billion euros. At the same time, the EU's direct investment in China remained stable, with a cumulative investment of 18.4 billion euros.
According to a survey by the German Automobile Industry Association in the first quarter of this year among its members in China, more than two - thirds of the companies clearly stated that they will increase their investments in China in 2025 and in the coming years, especially in the field of research and development.
Zhang Lin emphasized: "German automakers have completed the capacity building for electric mobility in the past ten years. Now they need to catch up with China's speed in the research and development of electrification and intelligence." In the future, we will see more German companies cooperate in research and development with outstanding Chinese companies, including start - ups, and be involved in product testing in the early stage of development to better adapt to market needs.
This kind of technological catch - up has already created a new model for joint - ventures between Chinese and German automakers. Specifically, Leapmotor has combined its leading electrification technology and cost advantages with the global sales network and engineering experience of Stellantis and jointly explored the international market with the joint - venture "Leapmotor International". This is the first time that a Chinese... (The text seems incomplete here)