China asks WTO to set up panel for U.S. EV subsidies dispute

Beijing objects to Inflation Reduction Act's barriers to its products

20240715 BTD EV carrier

Electric vehicles made by China's BYD await loading onto a vehicle carrier for export to Brazil, at the port of Lianyungang, China. © Reuters

BEIJING (Reuters) -- China has requested the World Trade Organization set up an expert panel to help settle a dispute over electric vehicle subsidies under the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act, the country's commerce ministry said on Monday.

The world's No. 2 economy opened the WTO dispute in late March after the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden passed the IRA, a wide-ranging law that provides billions of dollars in tax credits to help consumers buy EVs and companies to produce renewable energy, as the White House looks to decarbonize the U.S. power sector.

China has failed to reach a solution with the U.S. through consultations that would safeguard the rights and interests of its EV industry, the ministry said in its statement, and so is advancing its case at the WTO.

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The IRA "excludes products from WTO members such as China, artificially sets trade barriers, and pushes up the costs of green energy transition," China's commerce ministry said.

"We urge the U.S. to abide by WTO rules and stop abusing its industrial policies to undermine international cooperation on climate change," China said.

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