Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning reiterated China’s dissatisfaction and opposition, and called for attention to the industrial and business associations that spoke out against this measure. “We urge the European Union to listen carefully to objective and rational voices from all walks of life, immediately correct its wrong practices, work with China in the same direction, explore appropriate solutions and avoid escalation of trade frictions,” she added.

Mao assured that China will also take measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of its enterprises.

The Chinese Chamber of Commerce in the European Union and the German Federal Association for Economic Development and Foreign Trade rejected the European Commission’s announcement made on Wednesday.

The China Automotive Industry Association previously expressed its strong repudiation of the imposition of high tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles.

These entities considered the measure, which affects Chinese automotive companies BYD, Geely and SAIC, three of the China’s main electric car manufacturers, as a serious distortion.

According to the Commission’s information, companies will face anti-dumping duty rates of 17 percent, 19.3 percent and 36.3 percent, respectively.

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