Beijing warns EU against separate price talks with carmakers

China on Saturday warned the European Union against holding unilateral price talks with individual car manufacturers on top of negotiations with Beijing about countervailing duties on Chinese electric car imports.

This would "shake the foundation of negotiations and mutual trust," the Ministry of Commerce in Beijing said in a statement.

The Chinese side had "demonstrated utmost sincerity and flexibility" in the negotiations so far, it continued.

The ministry called on the EU to send a delegation to China as soon as possible to continue the next phase of consultations.

The EU had previously rejected a Chinese proposal that electric cars produced in China should be sold in Europe at a mandatory minimum price of €30,000 ($32,800).

Beijing had hoped this step would avert the introduction of EU countervailing duties to offset government subsidies on Chinese electric vehicle production.

In early October, a vote among EU member states cleared the way for tariffs on electric cars from China. This means the EU Commission can decide to introduce duties of up to 35.3%.

In turn, China responded on Tuesday with a provisional measure against European brandy. According to the Ministry of Commerce, brandy importers will have to pay a deposit of 30.6% to 39% of the value of the goods to Chinese customs.

The EU Commission said it would take action against the measure at the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Beijing accuses the EU of protectionism with regard to the EV tariffs and ignoring facts and disregarding WTO rules.