Today, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Commerce answered questions from reporters on the talks with the European Commission's Trade and Economic Security Committee, Schevchovich, during his trip to France.
Q: Recently, Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao held talks with European Commission Trade and Economic Security Commissioner Sevchovich in Paris, France. Can the Ministry of Commerce introduce the specific situation?
A: On June 3, Minister Wang Wentao and Commissioner Sevchovich held talks in Paris. The two sides held a focused, frank and in-depth discussion on urgent and important issues such as the EU's anti-subsidy case against China, China's anti-dumping case against EU brandy, and export control, and instructed the working teams of both sides to step up their efforts to prepare for economic and trade for China and Europe's important agenda this year.
Q: Is there any new progress in the price commitment negotiations on the electric vehicle countervailing case? Can you tell me the latest situation?
Answer: Minister Wang Wentao and Member Sevchovich had a professional and in-depth discussion on the electric vehicle case, which has taken another big step towards proper resolution. At present, the negotiations on price commitments for electric vehicle cases between China and Europe have entered the final stage, but the efforts of both sides are still required. The European side proposed that new technical paths can be explored at the same time, and China will evaluate the feasibility of the European side's proposal from the legal and technical levels. Both sides instructed the working team to step up their efforts to find solutions acceptable to both sides and properly resolve trade differences in a manner that complies with their respective legal provisions and WTO rules.
Q: What are the new progress in the anti-dumping case of brandy? Have China and Europe reached an agreement on price commitments? We noticed that during his time in Paris, Minister Wang Wentao also met with Saint-Martin, the Minister of Foreign Trade of France's Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs. Did he discuss the case with the French side?
Answer: Minister Wang Wentao and Member Sevchovich exchanged views on the Brandy case in a friendly and frank manner, and also briefly informed the French side of the relevant progress. At present, French companies and relevant associations have taken the initiative to submit price commitment applications to China, and the Chinese investigative agency has reached an agreement with it on the core terms of price commitment. China is reviewing the complete text of the price commitment. If the review is passed, it is planned to issue a final ruling announcement containing the price commitment text before July 5. China fully demonstrated its sincerity to resolve China-EU trade differences through dialogue and consultation, and also hoped that the EU and China would go in line with each other, properly resolve China's concerns, and create conditions for China-EU to further expand cooperation.
Q: We have noticed that China and Europe have discussed the issue of rare earth export control. Can you introduce some latest situation?
Answer: Minister Wang Wentao further clarified China's export control policy to the European side, emphasizing that the implementation of export control for rare earths and other items is an international practice. China attaches great importance to the concerns of the European side and is willing to establish a green channel for applications that meet the conditions, speed up approval, and instruct the working level to maintain timely communication on this. Minister Wang Wentao proposed that he hopes that the European side will move forward and take effective measures to facilitate, guarantee and promote compliant trade in high-tech products with China.
Source: CCTV News and Ministry of Commerce Website
