China wants EU to scrap electric car tariff plans by July 4

Both sides set to meet for talks later this week

Provisional European Union duties of up to 38.1% on imported Chinese-made electric cars are set to kick in by July 4. 

China wants the EU to scrap plans to impose tariffs on electric cars by July 4 as both sides are set to meet for talks later this week, the Chinese state-controlled Global Times has reported.

Provisional European Union duties of up to 38.1% on imported Chinese-made electric cars are set to kick in by July 4, while the bloc investigates what it says are excessive and unfair subsidies.

The European Commission said it would host technical talks with Chinese officials in Brussels this week.

"The EU side has emphasised that any negotiated outcome of the investigation must be effective in addressing the injurious subsidisation," a commission spokesperson said.

German chancellor Olaf Scholz said there needed to be "serious movement and progress" from China too.

China has repeatedly called on the EU to cancel its tariffs, expressing a willingness to negotiate.

China's Global Times, citing observers, said the best outcome would be for the EU to scrap the tariffs before July 4.

Analysts and European trade lobby groups stressed China would need to come to negotiations willing to make major concessions.

The European Commission is set to make a final decision on tariffs by November 2.

Reuters