China's Commerce Ministry Opposes EU Request for Voluntary Limits on Hybrid Vehicle Exports
On September 18, 2026, China's Ministry of Commerce responded to the China-EU hybrid vehicle trade dispute, explicitly opposing the voluntary export restraints proposed by the EU and saying they seriously violate WTO rules. Previously, the EU asked China to voluntarily limit hybrid vehicle exports to Europe, otherwise it might impose higher tariffs. Data show that EU imports of hybrid vehicles from China rose from 3,800 units in October 2024 to 50,000 units in July 2026. The EU hopes to limit this share to about 15%, but it has already exceeded one third. In the same period, China's August vehicle exports reached 1.01 million units, up 65.3% year on year, of which new energy vehicle exports were 526,000 units, up about 130% year on year. Overseas markets have become an important growth support, and China-EU trade issues have also extended from pure electric vehicles to hybrids and localized production.
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