China takes EU to WTO over 'unreasonable' tariffs on electric cars but bets on talks

Trade frictions between the EU and China escalate as Beijing files a WTO lawsuit over the tariffs imposed on its electric cars.

Transcript

00:00China filed a lawsuit against the European Union before the World Trade Organization

00:07over the steep tariffs the bloc has slapped on its electric vehicles.

00:11Brussels argues the electric vehicles benefit from excessive subsidies to retail at artificially

00:17low prices in global markets.

00:20The new duties come on top of an existing 10% levy and are being collected as of Wednesday

00:25the 30th of October.

00:52Designed by the European Commission to offset Beijing's financial aid and prevent EU firms

00:57from being pushed out of the lucrative electric vehicle sector, the trade measures will remain

01:01in place for five years.

01:18China has previously threatened retaliation against the EU's dairy, brandy and pork industries,

01:24moves that Brussels has denied as unwarranted.

01:27The ministry stressed its willingness to continue negotiations with the Commission to achieve

01:31a solution as soon as possible that could reverse the tariffs.